17 Feb 2004

Head teacher in PNG charged with smuggling ex military weapons

11:48 am on 17 February 2004

A school headmaster in Papua New Guinea's Southern Highlands province has been charged with attempting to smuggle six high powered guns from Port Moresby last month.

Michael Naki, who is 46 and the head of Pangia High School, was arrested and charged with conspiring to steal six PNGDF issued self- loading rifles.

Mr Naki has been refused bail and will be flown to Port Moresby to appear before a commital magistrate.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The weapons were issued for Independence Day parade last year, but were never returned to the armoury at Murray Barracks.

It's believed the weapons were hidden by soldiers and later sold to the public