4 nationals arrested in relation to cocaine haul

Port Moresby - Four Papua New Guinean nationals have been arrested in connection to the recent million kina cocaine haul. According to Commissioner of Police David Manning, two male suspects were arrested at the Sunset Lodge in Papa-Lealea on July 30 and a further two were arrested at Manu Autoport the next day with around AU$40,000 (PGK100,000) cash in their possession along with a few electrical items intended as gifts for locals who had assisted them.

Manning said the suspects confessed the location of the drugs which was retrieved the same day.   

Meanwhile, Post Courier (04 August) has reported a "highly placed intelligence official" saying high profile Papua New Guineans, politicians. rogue members of security forces and businessmen are linked to the drug trade. 

The source said their reports indicate the pilot, David John Cutmore, had flown numerous "drug sorties" from Australia into Papua New Guinea. He further added that certain elements in Foreign Affairs, Customs, the National Airport Corporation (NAC), police and the defense force have been implicated since 2018. 

He also said the middleman for the drug syndicate owned a business in Port Moresby and distributed to the National Capital District (NCD), Central, Western, Milne Bay and Morobe provinces. He said the syndicate's clients were mainly expatriates and and a few young locals especially children of rich politicians and businessmen. 

The official did not divulge the names of the politicians and businessman.