12 Asian nationals detained after alleged illegal mining in Watut

12 suspects of Asian origin have been detained in Lae last Friday after police alleged they were operating a mining activity without permission on land at Nauti, Watut, in Bulolo District, Morobe Province.

Lae Metropolitan Commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said police acted after a landowner reported finding the 12 suspects operating on his land.

The landowner filed a complaint at Lae Central Police Station, prompting police to investigate and apprehend the suspects.

Kunyanban said the 12 were brought to Lae, where police established that they allegedly had no permit to conduct mining activities on the land.

He said they were also allegedly trespassing and breaching the conditions of their visas.

The suspects were detained at Lae Central Police Station before being taken to Nadzab Airport early Sunday morning for transportation to Port Moresby.

Chief Immigration Officer Wellington Navasiu said Immigration was not involved in the initial apprehension.

Navasiu said he had directed his Lae-based officers to establish the facts and provide a report.

He said if the suspects were found to have breached Papua New Guinea's immigration laws, they would face immigration action.

Police say the suspects will be deported from the country today.