PNG Domestic Flights Under Watch as Jackson’s Airport Thwarts Drug and Ammo Smuggling

 Security operations at Port Moresby's Jackson’s International Airport have intensified after aviation officers intercepted multiple attempts to smuggle drugs and ammunition through domestic passenger flights.

Authorities say three separate detections within the same month have raised serious concerns about the use of internal air routes for illegal trafficking across the country.

In the latest case on April 9, alert Air Niugini baggage handlers flagged two suspicious parcels arriving from Mt Hagen on flight PX 189. AVSEC officers tracked the items to a passenger who collected them under questionable identification details, later confirmed to be false.

The man was escorted for secondary screening where officers discovered 16 kilograms of cannabis concealed in two large packages. He was detained on the spot and transferred to airport police custody.

Just days earlier, on April 5, a joint security operation involving AVSEC, Air Niugini security, and police resulted in the seizure of more than 20 kilograms of marijuana from a traveller arriving from Tari. On the same day, officers also intercepted a passenger carrying 12 rounds of live 9mm ammunition without declaration while travelling from Port Moresby to Goroka.

NAC says these back-to-back incidents highlight ongoing risks within domestic aviation networks and the need for stronger surveillance at all checkpoints.

Acting NAC Chief Executive Dominic Kaumu described the situation as troubling, noting the frequency of large drug seizures.

“Our teams together with other airport stakeholders have acted with vigilance and professionalism in stopping recent threats, but the growing number of incidents is deeply concerning,” Mr Kaumu said.

He confirmed that security screening, access control measures, and intelligence coordination are being reinforced nationwide, with outer airports now under closer watch due to rising security concerns.