Police warn against tinted taxis in Mt Hagen

Tinted windows taxis are reported to harbor criminal activities in the city of Mt Hagen as well as in the province (NBC News)

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Chief Superintendent John Sagom, has warned taxi and cab operators in Mt Hagen City and across the province to remove tinted windows, saying they are being used to carry out dangerous and illegal activities.

Speaking to the media, Chief Superintendent Sagom said criminals are using tinted windows to hide their movements from police.

He said tinted taxis are increasingly being used to smuggle drugs and illegal firearms, and to transport people who pose a serious threat to public safety.

“Under the disguise of tinted windows, criminals are smuggling drugs, smuggling weapons, and even harbouring dangerous individuals who put the lives of innocent people at risk,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Sagom has called on relevant authorities to introduce a provincial law banning tinted windows on taxis and public motor vehicles.

Western Highlands Police Commander Chief Superintendent John Sagom calls on authorities to pass a provincial law banning tinted windows, saying they pose a threat to public safety in Mt Hagen and across the province (Image: Supplied)

“I am appealing to the responsible authorities to make this a provincial law so that all tinted taxi and cab windows are removed and made safe for the public,” he said.

He stressed that removing tinted windows would greatly assist police in monitoring vehicles and help reduce crime in Mt Hagen City and throughout Western Highlands Province.

“If we remove tinted windows, it will help police do their job better and it will also help reduce some of the crimes we are now seeing in Mt Hagen and the province,” he said.