Police in Papua New Guinea are seeking the return of almost 300 cars, which were loaned to officials during last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.<\/p>\n
The luxury fleet was imported so visiting world leaders could be driven around in style.<\/p>\n
But a police commander said on Tuesday that 284 vehicles are missing.<\/p>\n
The cars include Landcruisers, Fords, Mazdas and Pajeros, Superintendent Dennis Corcoran said.<\/p>\n
A special police unit has been assembled to find them in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby.<\/p>\n
“There are 284 vehicles that were issued to personnel to use during Apec that haven’t been returned as yet,” superintendent Dennis Corcoran, told news agency Reuters.<\/p>\n
Fortunately the priciest cars – Maseratis worth more than $100,000 (\u00a375,000) each – have been located, the officer added.<\/p>\n
“All 40 of the Maseratis and the three Bentleys are in top condition and locked away in the old wharf shed down on the main wharf,” he said.<\/p>\n
According to police, nine of the cars have been stolen, and some have parts missing. Others were returned “pretty seriously damaged”.<\/p>\n
Leaders of the South Pacific nation of 7.3 million people had hoped the global conference would attract investment and draw international attention to the country.<\/p>\n
But hosting the event stretched the country’s resources, and it required assistance from other nations.<\/p>\n
Australia, the US and New Zealand all sent special forces troops to make sure attendees would be safe.<\/p>\n
At the time, both media and activists questioned whether it made sense for the poor Pacific country to host an international event\u00a0like the Apec summit.<\/p>\n
Critics saw the hundreds of official cars as symbolic of government waste.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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