by Stanley Ove Jr – EM TV News, Port Moresby
Drug smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking are the main illegal activities happening at the PNG-Indonesian border in West Sepik Province.
This was revealed in a recent joint operation between PNG Customs and the PNG Defense Force.
The operation also revealed a large number of illegal workers, working in Vanimo logging companies.
The Joint Operation Codenamed ‘Pukpuk Gateway’ was conducted from May 25th and ended early this month.
The operation was focused in the Vanimo-Green District in West Sepik Province.
Operations in Vanimo were based at identifying illegal workers, where over 140 foreign employees were deported back to Indonesia for failing to have proper work permits and employee visas.
The operation also revealed that foreigners are being smuggled into Vanimo in logging vessels.
The Sepik River was also identified as another key area for smuggling illegal items and goods from Indonesia.
Joint Operations Chief, Colonel Esekia Wenzel, said the PNG Defense Force will continue this operation till the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Chief Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul, said the way forward for border development and security is to have a proper border management system in place.
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