PNGDF officer in possession of 15.5kg marijuana arrested

A PNG Defence Force colonel was officially arrested last night and charged by Boroko police for allegedly being in possession and conveying 7 bags of marijuana weighing 15.5 kilograms.

Boroko Police Station Commander Inspector Henry Map told NBC News the colonel, identified as Paul Iatau from Masul village in the Sine Sine Yongomugl District of Chimbu province was caught by Central Police early hours of December 20th at Brown River along the Hiritano Highway.

Map said the suspect was with six other men in a marked PNGDF vehicle.

Central police intercepted the vehicle after sighting suspicious occupants on board and found the drugs packed in rice and flour bags.

However, the six other male suspects escaped before police could arrest them.

Inspector Map said the suspect is currently locked up at Boroko cell with bail set at K5000.

He said like any other alleged crime offender, the colonel will go through the normal court process to prove his innocence.

Meanwhile, Iatau remains innocent unless proven guilty by the courts.