BY MARTHA BUCKLEY
OFFICERS from the PNG and Australian government law enforcement agencies have begun their joint cross border patrol in the Toress strait and the 13 treaty villages in PNG this month.
The Joint Cross border patrol was suspended in 2020 after the covid 19 pandemic and resumed in September 2022.
The Joint cross border patrol is comprised of the Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Federal Police,Queensland police,PNG Customs, PNG police and the PNG Immigrations.
The patrol is led by PNG Customs and the Australian border force.
The primary focus of the Joint patrol is to build relationships and maintain cooperation between the law enforcement officers in Daru (PNG)and Thursday Island(Aust).
The patrol provided opportunity for officers from both country to familiarize themselves with the villages, people and environment along the PNG and Australian border and to combat border threats such as illegal importation of prohibited items.
The current patrol aims to get the views of the treaty communities and assess the situation before the borders are expected to open later on next month.
Meantime PNG Customs Manager(Daru) Gibson Honjepari refused to comment citing reasons that he is unauthorized to comment on the active operation of the Joint patrol without the Chief Commissioner David Towe’s approval.
Western Star 