13/7/06; www.postcourier.com.pg/
Police Bougainville say there was nothing much they could do about the smuggling of firearms and ammunition out of the region. Police on the island also confirmed that more than 30 per cent of guns have being smuggled out of the region since the 2002 national elections. Buka Police station commander Sergeant Oscar Tugen confirmed that there was a high number of firearms leaving the shores of Bougainville and his men couldn’t do much about it.
He also admitted that due to the shortage of manpower, proper checks along the coastlines were not maintained. Sgt Tugen said the lack of proper communication network was the main problem police faced.
Reports surfaced that with the 2007 General Election just around the corner, intending candidates, especially in Port Moresby and the Highlands region, will be looking to Bougainville to get their arms and ammunition to help them with their election campaigns.
Police said this has always been the case in past elections. Police reported that most candidates for the 2002 National Elections had smuggled in firearms. “Yes, there are definitely a good number of weapons going out of the region. On record, weapons go out through vessels to Rabaul and Lae.â€
In the last few months, yachts have been sighted in the Bougainville waters and police suspect these vessels are possibily smuggling out firearms. Sources said they’ve been approached by some candidates through their accomplices in the 2002 national elections to negotiate for the firearms.