The Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) has confirmed to PNG Business News that it has received new support for its frontline border-security operations, following the donation of information technology equipment and drug and precursor test kits from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The package includes six IT equipment sets and 15 drug-testing kits, provided through funding assistance from the Australian Border Force. The tools are earmarked for the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP) Port Control Units, which play a central role in detecting illicit goods and monitoring high-risk cargo and passenger movements across the country’s entry points.
The official handover took place in Port Moresby during the closing of the UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL PCCP Law Enforcement Assistance Programme (LEAP) training in October. The course focused on combating deforestation and illicit timber trafficking—an emerging transnational crime with serious environmental and economic implications for Papua New Guinea.
PNG Customs Chief Commissioner David Towe welcomed the donation, noting that it demonstrates the strong and continuing partnership between PNG Customs and UNODC.
“We appreciate UNODC’s unwavering support through ongoing capacity-building initiatives and now through the donation of the IT equipment and drug test kits,” Towe said.
“These tools will significantly enhance our ability to secure our borders, combat drug trafficking and other illicit activities, and safeguard our communities and the economy.”
The addition of the drug-testing kits will help officers rapidly identify narcotics and precursor chemicals, especially at high-risk transit points. Meanwhile, the upgraded IT systems will improve data processing, intelligence sharing and reporting across PCCP units—essential elements of modern border management.
Building skills to combat forest and timber crime
The donation coincided with a week-long LEAP training attended by 16 customs officers from divisions including regional operations, enforcement, intelligence and targeting, post-clearance audit, and trade excise and valuation.
The wide-ranging course covered timber supply-chain analysis, risk profiling, international trade documentation, concealment methods, physical inspections, crime-scene management and global trends in illegal logging.
Training was delivered by PNG Customs officers Leslie Malo and Jerry Abraham, supported by PCCP Deputy Regional Coordinator Topan Caesar Renyaan and Programme Assistant Jadetayakom Luythong—an approach that reflects PNG’s growing internal training capability.
Commissioner for Border Security and Regional Operations Benjamin Sine underscored the value of such practical instruction in strengthening national enforcement systems.
"These trainings strengthen our enforcement capabilities and collaboration between PNGCS and UNODC in advancing border security efforts. Our focus remains on building internal capacity to ensure sustainable development in the future,” Sine said.
He also commended local trainers for leading the sessions and encouraged participants to apply their newly acquired skills in their day-to-day duties.
As PNG continues to face rising challenges from drug trafficking, illegal logging, wildlife crime and other transnational threats, the new equipment and specialised training represent a timely investment in the country’s security infrastructure. The strengthened partnership between UNODC, Australia and PNG Customs is expected to further reinforce the nation’s ability to protect its borders, environment and communities.
