MORE FOREIGN NATIONALS DEPORTED FROM LAE

BY MARTHA LOUIS

FORTY- six Chinese nationals have been deported from Lae after they were arrested in a joint immigration and police operation in Wau-Bulolo.

They were flown to Port Moresby on Thursday for processing and deportation.

Lae Metropolitan Commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said the arrests were part of a wider crackdown led by the Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) with support from police.

“A total of 46 Chinese nationals — 16 and another 30 — were caught at different locations outside Lae and have all left for Port Moresby,” Kunyanban said. “They will be processed, blacklisted, and deported according to the law.”

He said the group had fled Wau-Bulolo’s alluvial mining areas to avoid being caught.

“They used the cover of darkness and tried to escape from the joint operations team,” he said.

The arrests bring the total number of foreign nationals detained in Morobe Province this week to 151. Most were found working in mining areas while holding store or business work visas.

“They came with visas to work in stores but were found doing mining in Wau and Bulolo,” Kunyanban said.

He said the operation will continue to target anyone breaching immigration and labour laws.

“Our goal is to restore order and make sure everyone working in this country follows the law,” he said.