Police ruin trade store

By JACOB POK

A local trade store owner has had his business ruined after his store goods and a substantial amount of money were forcibly taken in a raid by police officers near Eight-Mile outside Port Moresby early this week.
Mathew Pulip claimed that four truckloads of policemen went to his store at around 9pm on Monday and forcefully gained access into the store and raided the store before taking off with store goods and cash totaling more than K34,000.
He said his shop attendant and several customers who were there at the time were assaulted by the police officers during the raid.
“We were taken by surprise when truckloads of police in camouflage uniforms approached and forcefully gained access into the store and helped themselves with whatever they could get,” Mr Pulip said.
He said he was threatened by the policemen when he demanded to know whether they had acted on a search warrant.
“We didn’t know the reason why police raided the store and we could not even ask because we feared we might be beaten up,” Mr Pulip added.
He said he also produced his liquor selling license to the police but that did not stop the police from carrying out the dubious raid.
NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Peter Guinness said yesterday that a proper investigation would be carried out on those officers involved.
“All police involved in such unlawful activities would face the full force of law. We have dealt with some police officers involved in illegal activities recently and those who engage in such activities have no place in the police force,’’ said Mr Guinness.
“We are tired of such nonsense already and we assure that proper investigations will be carried out on those officers allegedly involved in the matter and those implicated will face the full force of law.
“These are only few policemen going around doing unlawful things which taint the image of other good and hard working police officers.”