A substantial amount of marijuana expected to fetch more than K10,000 in street sales was confiscated at the Rabaul port in East New Britain Province on Tuesday 27 December 2022.
The drug bust was carried out by two officers from the Rabaul Urban LLG with the assistance of two Mobile Squad officers from Tomaringa, after they received a tip off.
This was the result of the special police operations for the festive season in Rabaul District, which commenced on Thursday Dec 22, 2022 and will run for 14 days.
The suspect brought the drugs that were carefully hidden in a bag of sweet potatoes from Lae, aboard the MV Kulau.
The suspect identified as Tazo Tinoa was searched on arrival at Rabaul Shipping wharf and arrested with his two accomplices who met him at the wharf.
They are Raymond Peter from Aperera village, Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province and Tony Walange from Suhumu village, East Sepik Province.
Chief Sergeant Ruben Konetzi said the main suspect upon arriving at the wharf, hid the bag behind an abandoned vehicle, however his actions and that of his two accomplices seemed suspicious.
Police searched his mobile phone and discovered text messages from the person who sent the package from Lae stating “safe smuggling”.
The suspects were taken to Rabaul Police checkpoint and formally charged for possession of marijuana and are in custody.
The arresting team said they acted on tip off and were lucky to arrest the suspects at the wharf and seize the drugs before they changed hands and hit the streets.
In another incident on Boxing Day, a 23-year old male youth identified as Eddie Benjamin from Malaguna 1 in Balanataman LLG of Rabaul District met his fate.
He had been allegedly intoxicated with alcohol since Christmas day and stoned buildings and homes near Malaguna 1, hurling swear words at local leaders who tried to stop him.
Rabaul Police said his actions resulted in a clash and eventually he was killed. Four suspects namely Steven “Karanas” Mesulam, Elizah “Laige” Langa, Elison “ToKuka” Benson and Elizah Ben were charged for willful murder and are in custody at Bitapaka Police post.
Four other suspects have been charged for insult and provocation and are in custody at Rabaul police checkpoint.
The operation has also recaptured an escapee, Chris Walter from Talvat on Boxing Day. Walter escaped from Kerevat jail on 20 September 2022 after he was sentenced in 2020 for possession of drugs.
Police received a tip-off that he was at Raluana in Kokopo district and arrested him.
He is in custody waiting to be charged for unlawful escape from custody and will be transported back to Kerevat.