Media is an influential tool thus, the information it disseminates must be accurate and balanced.
PNG Customs Commissioner Ray Paul, has expressed disappointment in a recent daily newspaper report, published on Tuesday in relations to a national, who tried to smuggle drugs into PNG.
Paul said the press report had disclosed vital information on the investigation and the ring leader has gone into hiding, making the task of apprehending him more difficult.
This comes after Customs and Quarantine officers detained the drugs after X-ray scans, detected an organic image in the contents of the passenger last Thursday.
The report stated that the smuggled drugs (Methamphetamine or Ice) were valued at up to K20 million.
Commissioner Paul said, this was incorrect as the actual street value was approximately K1 million or US$ 500 and weighted 2kg. The drug smuggler with the passport name Agiwa Lai, is believed to be part of a drug syndicate.
When asked how big, the syndicate is, Commissioner Paul said there is an established syndicate in Port Moresby and Lae, but mentioned nothing about the size of the group. He only said, investigations are continuing.
In another related incident, customs officers have discovered eight packets of Asian Green Tea, in a rubbish bin at the airport; they were unopened and looked new.
Upon opening it, the officials found tobacco instead of Green Tae.
Meanwhile Customs is closely monitoring the flights coming from asian countries, because of the frequent incidents of attempted smuggling by passengers, arriving from Asian countries.
He said, while they are welcomed to come and do business in PNG, they must abide by our constitutional laws.
