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Five men in custody in Torres Strait after being caught crossing
illegally into Australia
(HTM) Source
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* **In short:** Five men are in custody on Saibai Island in the Torr
* The men allegedly travelled to Papua New Guinea via Indonesia, usi
* PNG Police Commissioner David Manning said the matter was "an ongo
Five men have been caught crossing illegally into Australia on a small
dinghy in Far North Queensland.
The men — reportedly from the West African nation of Senegal — are in
custody on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait, about 4 kilometres from
the Papua New Guinean mainland.
PNG Police Commissioner David Manning said they travelled to Papua New
Guinea via Indonesia, using fake travel documents, before they
attempted to cross into north Queensland.
Two PNG nationals are being questioned over their alleged involvement
in trafficking the five men to Australia by boat.
"It's an ongoing investigation," Commissioner Manning told the ABC.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) declined to comment on specifics but
a spokesperson told the ABC it had "well-established processes to
manage irregular movements of people in the Torres Strait".
Daru Mayor Samuel Winggu said he was aware authorities were searching
for the Senegalese men in PNG's South Fly region last week.
PNG Assistant Police Commissioner Hodges Ette told Post Courier the
group was caught in mangroves on Saibai Island while trying to run
from ABF officials.
"Their whole travel was to get into Australia, and they have already
broken several laws including coming into the country illegally,"
Assistance Commissioner Ette said.
The ABC understands the men are in ABF custody on Saibai Island and
are undergoing health checks.
Australia shares a sea border with Papua New Guinea in the Torres
Strait but illegal crossings by foreign nationals are uncommon.
In 2017, a boat carrying six Chinese nationals landed on Saibai
Island.
A unique treaty set up to recognise traditional relationships between
PNG and the Torres Strait allows visa-free travel for locals from
villages and islands in the region.
The treaty was suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. However, it
has now resumed with restrictions on the days and times people can
travel across the border.
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