Two police officers among five arrested in Port Moresby Meth bust

The five were caught at a Port Moresby hotel (Image: Supplied)

Two police officers have been arrested following a drug bust at a Port Moresby hotel in the early hours of Saturday morning.

They were caught alongside three civilians in possession of methamphetamine, commonly known as meth.

Assistant Commissioner of Police and NCD/Central Commander Benjamin Turi confirmed that the Police received a tip-off during their “keeping the city safe” operation at night and, upon directions from the Superintendent of Operations, they raided the particular hotel and came across the five suspects, which included a female.

Turi said police found traces of methamphetamine throughout the hotel room, along with instruments used to consume the drug. The Dog Unit and a Forensics team were on site to assist with evidence collection.

Turi said the Forensics team confirmed the substance as methamphetamine using a Narcotics Analyzer, which provided sufficient grounds for police to arrest the five individuals.

The two police officers are from Police Headquarters: one is a constable attached to the Fraud Squad, and the other is an Inspector with the Water Police.

The suspects are led into the Boroko police station to be formally charged (Image: Supplied)

ACP Turi revealed that one of the officers, an Inspector assigned to the Water Police, has a history of past allegations and disciplinary matters that are still under investigation.

Following the drug bust and other incidents this week involving police, ACP Turi has issued a warning that any officer in the NCD/Central Command involved in criminal activity will be dismissed, as directed by the Police Commissioner.

“For these two police officers, their paperwork is currently being prepared, and by Monday, they will be put off payroll and dismissed from the force.”

“Any police officer committing any criminal offence will face similar consequences moving forward so everyone should be acting and behaving within the law and your role and responsibility as police officers.”

The five people are currently locked up at the Boroko Police Cells while waiting to be formally charged.
The NCD Acting Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab is currently preparing their paperwork to get things moving by tomorrow.

The three civilians will go through normal court process once charged.