PNG man arrested for smuggling people into Australia
The man has been identified and is now in Western Province awaiting his court appearance.
A second charged is also expected to be levelled against him.
The man is said to be a facilitator of an operation that tried to send four Pakistan nationals into Australia via Western Province using the border treaty arrangement between Australia and Papua New Guinea on Daru and Torres Strait islanders.
According to assistant Commissioner of Police border patrol Donald Yamasombi and senior Constable Kali Pamuan, the man tried his best to convince the villagers who have permits to travel into Australia to allow the four Pakistani’s to get a permit.
“They were new faces so the villagers did not allow them to get the permits or permission to travel across, they were apprehended with the man sent to Daru police cells and the four Pakistani’s repatriated to Port Moresby.”
“Authorities including the Attorney-General’s office have worked together and assisted with the charges, with Yamasombi’s assistance we put facts together and made an arrest for facilitating human smuggling,” Constable Pamuan said.
“He is now charged with one count of human smuggling with another charge pending, awaiting international agencies in Australia to send through papers," he said.
If he is found guilty, he could be jailed for up to 20 years.
When asked how much money was promised to the young man, Const Pamuan said that the initial amount was for K1000 (US$310) but he was only paid K600 (US$186).
SOURCE: POST COURIER/PACNEWS
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