A businessman from Western Highlands Province is a free man despite the Court finding him guilty of being in possession of explosives.
McQueenie Waia, 54 was found guilty by the Mt Hagen Summary Offences Court and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor.
However, further orders of the Court will see Waia serving a suspended sentence with conditions.
Waia’s sentencing comes nearly a year after his arrest in a joint police and military operation aimed at cracking down on alleged illegal arms trafficking in the upper Highlands provinces.
According to police reports, Waia was arrested and charged along with two other men last July in a sweep that saw police seize three guns and hundreds of rounds of bullets including military grade ammunition from his Mt Hagen residence.
Waia was, however, prosecuted for the possession of one hand grenade that was seized in the raid.
Presiding Magistrate Baptist Fehi ordered that the whole term of imprisonment is suspended on the following conditions;
- The Defendant is to enter into recognizance to be of good behavior for two years with his K10,000 National Court bail converted to his surety and he is required to appear for conviction and sentence when called on at any time during such period
- With the two years, he is prohibited to have in his possession any forms of firearms and ammunitions, with all his firearm and ammunition licenses suspended for that period.
For the two years, Waia was ordered by the Court to surrender all his licenses, firearms and ammunitions to the Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander for safe keeping.
Waia refrained from involving himself in any firearm or ammunition related activities or allegations during the two years period.
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