PAPUA New Guinea authorities are tightening airport enforcement after another alleged attempt to move gold out of the country through Jacksons International Airport.
The National Airports Corporation said Aviation Security officers intercepted raw gold particles, gold nuggets and a silver bar from an Australian passenger during outbound screening on May 14, before a Qantas flight from Port Moresby to Brisbane.
Officers first found two containers of raw gold particles and a silver bar in checked baggage, then discovered three gold nuggets in the passenger’s carry-on luggage during a second search at the international departure screening point.
The passenger, identified as an Australian citizen, reportedly told authorities he worked for Rippa Holdings Ltd, a company operating in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville and involved in heavy equipment support for mining operations.
He allegedly said he did not know Papua New Guinea’s export procedures for precious minerals and claimed the materials were intended for testing and to help raise funds for a community project in Buka.
PNG Customs confirmed the items were gold and silver and confiscated them. The passenger was issued a Customs Custody Receipt and allowed to continue travelling, but the case has been referred to the Customs Investigation Unit.
Authorities said he is expected to provide supporting documentation upon his return to Papua New Guinea.
The National Airports Corporation said the interception was the sixth attempted gold smuggling case detected at Jacksons International Airport this year, underscoring a broader crackdown on undeclared mineral exports.
Papua New Guinea is one of the Pacific’s largest gold producers, and officials have been increasingly vigilant at airports and ports as they seek to curb revenue losses and improve oversight of the sector.
“Illegal attempts to smuggle gold out of the country undermine national wealth, development and economic sovereignty,” the corporation said.
It urged travellers and airport users to report suspicious activity to Aviation Security and Customs officers.
