by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer
A man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in facilitating and transporting 4.88 kilograms of methamphetamine from Daru, located in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, to Australia.
According to The National newspaper, the 50-year-old resident of Kunini village in South Fly received a 20-year sentence for one count each of facilitation and transportation of methamphetamine, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
The magistrate granted a one-year deduction for time already spent in custody, meaning the man will serve 19 years of hard labor.
The magistrate emphasized that the maximum penalties imposed on drug offenders should serve as a warning to the public.
Papua New Guinea faces a significant drug problem, exacerbated by its geographical location and porous borders. The nation has become a transit point for illicit drugs, with smuggling routes often originating from Asia, particularly from countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. These routes leverage the archipelago’s numerous islands and remote areas, making it challenging for authorities to monitor and control drug trafficking. As a result, various drugs, including methamphetamines and cannabis, flood into the country, contributing to rising addiction rates and associated social issues. The impact of this drug problem is profound, affecting community safety, public health, and economic stability, while also straining law enforcement resources in efforts to combat this growing crisis.
