By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Five policemen in Port Moresby, allegedly involved in illegal roadblocks, have been suspended from official duties as of yesterday.
It is understood the five were off duty and were using a private vehicle to check and remove betel nut bags from betel nut sellers in the Nation’s Capital.
The five were arrested and charged for two counts of stealing each under Section 137 of the Police Act.
The five include four reservists attached to the Port Moresby Police Station, while one is a regular and was the former Police Station Commander for Gerehu.
According to police information, the officers were using this vehicle to conduct illegal searches on Port Moresby residents.
It was reported that around 10am yesterday, the five followed a vehicle from Hanuabada village to Six Mile roundabout and took betel nut bags from the driver of the vehicle.
The five continued their illegal checks and stopped another vendor at Hohola, instructed him to follow them to the National Capital District Depot at Four Mile, but drove away with his betel nut bags, leaving the vendor stranded metres away from the depot.
Around the same time, police officers attached to the Internal Investigation Unit were informed of the incident and tracked the five down and arrested them.
Since last Sunday, two police officers have been arrested in relation to the death of man in Port Moresby and another charged for perverting escape.
The five have been suspended for 21 days.
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