Turi exposes gold smuggling network: NAC vows swift action
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police and NCD-Central Commander Benjamin Turi has raised serious concerns about a gold smuggling syndicate operating within Papua New Guinea.
ACP Turi alleged that the network involves officers from the National Airports Corporation, Police, Customs, and Immigration, making it difficult to track the illegal trade when those entrusted with enforcement are complicit.
He revealed that gold is being smuggled from as far as the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and warned that the syndicate’s reach extends into airport checkpoints.
“We cannot allow those entrusted with enforcement to betray the public trust. Some of the officers implicated are close protection officers assigned to parliamentarians, and this raises serious questions about integrity within the force,” ACP Turi said.
ACP Turi condemned the actions of two police officers accused of stealing gold from Asian nationals at Jackson’s Airport last week, stressing that such misconduct undermines public confidence.
The two officers involved in the theft have been identified and police are actively pursuing them.
“I am doing my part to expose this operation, but dismantling the syndicate requires strong partnership and accountability across institutions,” he said.
He urged all agencies to investigate their personnel and enforce existing laws, while calling on the Bank of Papua New Guinea to strengthen its screening of gold buyers before issuing licenses.
He said small-scale alluvial gold businesses are reserved for Papua New Guineans, questioning how foreign nationals were able to obtain gold-buying licenses from the Bank of PNG.
Meanwhile, NAC’s Acting Managing Director, Dominic Kaumu, reaffirmed the Corporation’s determination to confront gold smuggling with urgency.
“NAC is serious about addressing this. We are investigating staff who may be involved, and they will be terminated and referred to the police when identified,” Kaumu said.
He announced that NAC is engaging an independent security expert to review airport security systems and pledged continuous improvements.
“As the gatekeepers of Papua New Guinea’s airports, we are determined to confront this issue with urgency and collaboration with all concerned organizations," Kaumu said.
Kaumu also confirmed that NAC officers intercepted a female passenger on Monday, March 30, 2026, attempting to smuggle gold concealed under her clothing at Port Moresby International Airport.
The passenger, bound for Hong Kong, attempted to bribe a screening officer, but the officer rejected the bribe and referred her to Customs for investigation.
Both ACP Turi and Kaumu stressed that gold smuggling is a serious threat to national wealth and sovereignty.
They pledged collaboration to dismantle the syndicate and warned that anyone caught attempting to smuggle gold will face prosecution under Papua New Guinea’s laws.