105 foreign nationals deported out of Morobe today

A total of 105 foreign nationals -104 men and one woman are being deported from Lae to Port Moresby for their involvement in illegal alluvial mining at Sambio village in the Mumeng LLG of Bulolo District.

Lae Police confirmed that the group was rounded up by the PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority officers, with the assistance of police, and brought to the Lae top town central police station cells late Tuesday afternoon.

NBC News witnessed the first group of 48 men escorted to Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport this morning under the supervision of PNG Immigration officers and Lae Metropolitan Police, where they boarded the 11 am flight to Port Moresby.

Most of the illegal miners were found to have breached immigration laws and regulations, with their visas and other documents deemed invalid. Once detained in Port Moresby, they will be processed, assessed, and either deported, charged, or fined accordingly.

The remaining group, including the lone woman, were moved from police cells around 3 o’clock this afternoon to board a flight to Port Moresby. After processing, all will be repatriated to their home country.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Lands and Immigration, and the Member for Lae, John Rosso, said, Foreigners are welcome to our country, but they must respect our laws and regulations.

"I continue to take a hard line stance that foreign Nationals in PNG should abide by our laws, and breaches will result in apprehension and deportation."

"This operation is ongoing to crack down on foreigners breaching our country laws so investors and foreign nationals who abide by our laws are welcomed and have nothing to worry about," Rosso said.

This is the second deportation but with the highest number of foreign nationals being deported out of Lae this year.