NCD Police apprehended a 40-year-old police impersonator and his accomplice, who were in a vehicle that police had been pursuing for transporting methamphetamine on Monday night at Waigani in Port Moresby.
National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab confirmed that the two suspects, identified as Russell Saigome, 40 years old from Tuonumbu village, Yangoru Saussia District of East Sepik Province, and Jason Salika, 36 years old from Kulalai Village, South Fly District of Western Province, had been charged with having methamphetamine implements and 1.31 grams of meth in their possession. He stated that they had been refused police bail and are now detained in the cell at Boroko Police Station.
Metsupt Simatab further added that during the apprehension, Saigome was in police uniform, which they had confirmed he is not a policeman or a police reservist. He said the investigation team will look into that and lay additional charges because many people have abused the police uniform to do things that are not beneficial to the lives and properties of the communities they live in.
He further added that, according to the police, Saigome and Salika were traveling in a brown ten-seater, which is a Vehicle of Interest to the police. He said the police units who were on night patrol sighted the vehicle at Courts Roundabout at Gordons and tried to stop it, but it sped off heading up towards Waigani Way. He said the police gave chase to the vehicle all the way to Islander, where the vehicle turned around at the traffic light and drove towards Boroko.
Metsupt Simatab said that was where the police officers in that patrol alerted each other that the vehicle might have something they did not want the police to know. He said the police units gave chase with blue lights and sirens on from Islander to Waigani Tunnel BSP, where they stopped the vehicle.
“The driver hesitated to come out of the car, which made the police use reasonable force to make him come out of the car when they saw him in police field gear uniform. The police officers who were new to him proceeded to search his vehicle and the offside, where they found the methamphetamine-consuming implements. They then checked Saigome’s waist bag, which had 1.31 grams of methamphetamine in his possession. They were then escorted to Waigani Police Station, where they were formally charged and are now detained at Boroko Police Station,” Simatab said.
Metsupt Simatab said the police investigation is continuing, and many more will be arrested. He stated that many have been arrested and charged and are now in court.
He further issued a warning to those consuming and producing it, or doing business with it, that they will not be able to hide. They will be caught one day, so it is better to stop. He said that from what he knows, methamphetamine addiction is very bad. He emphasized that people consuming it must stop as soon as possible because it is not good.
He also thanked the police units that apprehended the two individuals who are now detained in the cell. He mentioned that police bail is not allowed, so they will remain in the cell and appear in court.
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