A couple from the United States (USA) who illegally entered Papua New Guinea and engaged in alluvial mining activity with locals from the eastern coast of Central Bougainville were deported, the Minister for Immigration and Border Security Hon. Bryan Kramer said.

DEPORTATION OF A US COUPLE, ILLEGAL MINERS IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Two US citizen deported for illegal entry and engagement in alluvial mining in the country. A couple from the United States (USA) who illegally entered Papua New Guinea and engaged in alluvial mining activity with locals from the eastern coast of Central Bougainville were deported, the Minister for Immigration and Border Security Hon. Bryan Kramer said. Bradley and Christine Noffsinger, US citizens, were arrested by police and immigration officials in Central Bougainville, detained, and deported to Los Angeles on the 12th of June. “The couple were deported because they entered the country through an unauthorized port of entry without legal entry permits,” Minister Kramer said. “The couple entered South Bougainville through Solomon Islands onboard a small boat loaded with alluvial mining equipment.” Immigration movement records shows that the couple lawfully visited PNG at least three times in the last 10 years. Their first visit was in 2012 and second in 2013 where they spent at least 2 weeks engaging with local people doing alluvial mining in Wau, Morobe province. In 2015, the couple made a third visit and stayed for 8 days in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) where they made connections with ‘people of interests’ to do alluvial mining on the east coast of Central Bougainville. Mr Kramer said following that Bougainville connection, the couple tried to smuggle alluvial mining equipment into Bougainville in 2016 but were confiscated by Solomon Islands Authorities at the maritime border. “That same year, the couple made another trip to PNG but were denied entry at Jacksons International Airport after an alert was placed on their movement.” With no access into Papua New Guinea, the couple decided to cross the border illegally. In September 2020, they loaded their small boat with undocumented alluvial mining equipment and sailed into South Bougainville through the Tonolei harbor where they were apprehended and charged for unlawful entry. The undeclared assets they brought in were forfeited to the State. “ICA has a duty of care and has provided hotel accommodation to the couple during the Covid-19 period and the closure of international borders. We have given them the option to voluntarily return but after all means were exhausted we have now deported them,” the Immigration Minister said. Minister Kramer thanked the Chief of Bougainville Police Services and its officers for the positive collaboration with PNGICA in apprehending the couple and for their continuous support to ICA in addressing border issues. The Chief Migration Officer, Stanis Hulahau, is appealing to Papua New Guinea citizens and residents to ensure foreigners invited to come into the county to engage in businesses obtain the appropriate permits including registration of their entities with the relevant regulatory bodies.