Bootlegger nabbed, but Fly quiet during festivities

By TODAGIA KELOLA

A SENIOR Correctional officer is among a number of suspects arrested and charged for illegally selling liquor in the Western province.
The officer, who was on leave had allowed his trade store to sell liquor despite a total liquor ban in the province.
 

Western provincial police commander Inspector Silva Sika said apart from this, the province celebrated one of its quietest and best Christmas and New Year.
He commended the community and leaders of the province for their efforts in assisting his men in making the festive period a memorable one for everyone.
Meanwhile, the Tabubil District Court fined a young Tari man, Mark Fred, K3,000 for having transported 52 cartons of SP cans of beer and various spirits or hard stuff destined for black markets in nearby mine villages in Tabubil.
Apart from forfeiting the alcohol, the court went further and forfeited the motor vehicle - a Toyota 10-seater land cruiser - which Fred used to move the alcohol from Kiunga to Tabubil under the cover of darkness.
 

Police prosecutor senior constable Stella Warmanai who was happy with the decision said: “the courts must be aggressive in their decisions when dealing with offences, especially when they are serious and prevalent. This type of decision is not to destroy offenders but to educate them and the community-at-large about the need to respect the laws we have.”
Const Warmanai urged other courts in the country to rise up in their decisions to help address the rising crime in the country in the New Year.