Police arrest couple for importing firecrackers into PNG

Firecrackers are illegal in PNG. Photo credit. Dicksii H.(fb).  

Police in PNG's Madang Province  intercepted a shipment of firecrackers worth nearly K15,000 early yesterday and arrested a couple involved in transporting them.

Provincial police station commander Sylvester Kalaut said police conducted a roadblock at Dylup along the Madang-Bogia Highway and arrested a couple at 2am yesterday after discovering the firecrackers being transported in big numbers.

“The firecrackers were bought in the Indonesian town of Batas and were transported through the border to Vanimo, then to East Sepik and through the Madang-Bogia Highway,” Kalaut said.

Kalaut said the couple was charged under section 149 of the Customs Act and bailed for K5000 each. 

He warned members of the public to refrain from firing or selling firecrackers because they will only end up in jail if caught.

Kalaut said fines for breaking customs laws varied from K5000-K50,000 and people firing firecrackers or selling them on streets should be careful.

Kalaut said there were sick people in every neighbourhood who would not like the sound of the firecrackers. He added that police were well prepared and would ensure celebrations were trouble-free.

PNG Today / The National