PNG report says smugglers charge refugees $12,000

07/10/2008 15:57:57

A report from Papua New Guinea says Hong Kong-based agents are charging about $US 12,000 to smuggle Sri Lankan refugees into the country.

The Post-Courier newspaper quotes PNG intelligence officers as saying human smugglers are asking 30,000 dollars for refugees who want to go on to Australia, where they have been promised a better lifestyle and jobs.

The officers say it appears the refugees are arriving in PNG to get easier access to Australia.

PNG recently deported 13 Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka who illegally entered the country.

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