by Scott Waide – EM TV News, Lae
Papua New Guinea is facing the threat of increased activities by transitional criminals who have the ability to establish large stimulant drug smuggling operations in the country.
In a workshop in Lae this morning, participants were reminded that PNG’s weak drug laws and the lack of awareness provide an ideal environment for such operations.
Australian Police have identified several instances where ingredients for ICE have been intercepted during transit from Papua New Guinea.
Amphetamine-type stimulants or ATS are a group of drugs that include amphetamine and methamphetamine.
In many countries including PNG’s closest neighbours like Australia and Indonesia, the extensive use of the drugs have become national problems.
Papua New Guinea has its own drug problem in the form of marijuana.
The extensive trade and the networks could easily be used to smuggle drugs Amphetamine type stimulants that come from China and other parts of Asia.
Drug smugglers have also found loop holes that are legal and work for them.
Some of the ingredients used to make Amphetamine type stimulants can be found in common cold medicines or can be imported by legitimate pharmaceutical companies in large amounts.
The minimum sentence for drug possession is nine months. The maximum time you can spend in jail for drug possession is two years.
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