PORT MORESBY (THE NATIONAL)—A Papua New Guinea judge has warned non-citizens involved in drug trafficking that if caught, there will be deterrent penalties imposed by the courts despite their medical conditions.
Justice Panuel Mogish said: “Do not flout the laws of this country especially if you have underlying medical conditions like Carlos D’Attanasio and John Cutmore”, (two men jailed for their part in the 2020 drug bust in Central).
“Your dream of going back to your country of origin to seek up-to-date medical care is broken dreams,” he said.
“For D’Attanasio, he can through the Italy Embassy make arrangements for specialist doctors in Italy or Australia to come to Papua New Guinea to treat him.
“He cannot be treated differently just because he is a non-citizen and his concerns that medical care in PNG is far from satisfactory.
“That is tough luck.”
He made the comments on Tuesday at the National Court in Bomana when jailing Italian yacht owner D’Attanasio to 19 years and three locals to 18 years each.
All were charged with two counts of money laundering and concealing 28 bags of cocaine weighing 611kg and valued at K200 million(US$511,000) in street value.
“D’Attanasio has serious medical problems and has been hospitalised and given premium healthcare and management at Pacific International Hospital and Paradise Private Hospital at the expense of his country of origin, Italy,” Mogish said.
According to a medical report last April by Dr Robin Sios of Paradise Private Hospital, D’Attanasio had been diagnosed with Stage Four colorectal cancer.
“There is evidence of the spread of cancer to his abdominal structures despite receiving palliative care at Paradise Hospital, which focuses on symptoms management without curative intent. His condition remains life-threatening” he said.
“The recommendation by the doctor is a humane response to a very sick person in need of specialist medical treatment abroad.
“D’Attanasio is not an ordinary sick man.”
Justice Mogish said that D’Attanasio had been convicted of a serious offence with a maximum penalty of 25 years.
“I have observed the offender since the commencement of the trial and it was evident to me that his medical conditions pre-existed his apprehension in PNG,” he said….PACNEWS