BORDER OPERATION ALREADY A FLOP
The government says illegal activities in Vanimo along its side of the border pose a national security threat to its sovereignty.
The joint border security operation comes amid reports Indonesian soldiers have illegally crossed the border in pursuit of Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels on PNG soil.
The operation codenamed, ''Sunset Merona'' was approved and deployed last week.
Police, defence, Correctional Services, Border and Customs officers are taking part in the operation.
Commander Jerry Frank says the aim is to stop the largely unregulated movement of people and goods across the porous border.
"[Things such as] money laundering, drugs and guns exchanges, human smuggling, items like pornographic materials," he said.
He says authorities are particularly keen to prevent members of the secessionist Free Papua Movement crossing into PNG.
But the police chief in West Sepik province, Chief Inspector Sakawar Kasieng, says the operation is politically motivated.
He says there are no illegal activities such as the entry of political activists from the Indonesian province of Papua into PNG.
"People cross [the border] at all times, I mean people across the border want to go to the other side. There is a normal trade route, but then the military build up, military cross over or opium fight back. They fight on their own soil, they don't fight in Papua New Guinea."
Chief Inspector Kasieng says those resources should be given to boost Vanimo based police and border officials to carry out routine patrols along the border.
"They should give money to act, to the military here, the police on the ground who can do the job."
But PNG's local MP for Vanimo, Belden Namah, says illegal activities along the PNG-Indonesia border are an on-going problem.
Mr Namah says it's a real national security threat to his people and the country.
He says the PNG government should find a long term solution to the border problems.
Mr Namah wants a permanent border security post established on PNG side of the border.
"Yes we do have incursions by Indonesian soldiers. We do have opium elements and presence along the border, there's an increase in the illegal trade of firearms, drugs, human trafficking.
"So my answer to that would be we improve the security at Wutung border, put permanent policemen, infantry personnel, immigration, customs, quarantine manning the place. Not just a one off operation," he said.
The operation is due to run for six weeks.
So far, Operation Sunset Merona started badly with a stand-off between Vanimo and Port Moresby police officers on the operations.
A Vanimo traffic police officer was allegedly bashed by officers from Port Moresby over allegations he was driving an unregistered vehicle.
Local officers have closed the Vanimo police station in protest over the incident.
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