The big bust ... a case for boosting agriculture

EXPOSURE of an international drug ring operating between Papua New Guinea and Australia last month led Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister to call for strengthening of the country's legal agricultural crops.

The Australian Federal Police charged three men, including one of their officers in the northern Australian city of Cairns and a former officer, who were alleged to have been involved in a multi-million kina drug import operation.

As carlv as 1990 PIM was receiving reports of an “established [nd extensive” drug export operation (Dec. 1990) based on PNG Highlands crops of cannabis and even intercrops in lege tabic gardens. Following the latest arrests, police in North Queensland admitted trafficking had risen to record levels in fecent months because of soaring demand in Australia.

According to some reports the cannabis, known as PNG Gold because of its potency, is being brought through Cairns in exchange for firearms in Papua New Guinea. “Traffickers

stand to make billions if they got away with importing drugs to Queensland,” according to Queensland police far north regional commander, assistant commissioner Ken Strohfeldt.

The cannabis is being smuggled across Torres Strait in small dinghies or flown into remote Queensland areas in light aircraft, often concealed in machinery parts, plain cardboard boxes, bags, shoes and underpants. Most of the marijuana is destined for southern Australian cities, although PIM received reports in 1990 that it also has been reaching New York.

PNG Prime Minister Namaliu said surveillance would continue to be improved and called for a major anti-drug public education campaign, particularly in rural areas; tough cultivation and trafficking penalties; and building up of legal agriculture. “One of the most effective deterrents against the cultivation of cannabis is the strengthening of our legal agricultural crops such as coffee, and price support for these crops when world prices are low. This helps to take away any incentive to grow illegal crops,” he said. □