BUKA DISTRICT court has sentenced an Australian, Michael William Northcote, to six months jail after a two-month court case which followed the seizure of the yacht Perenti in Bougainville waters.

Four other Australians who were with him on the yacht were previously acquitted because of lack of evidence.

Bougainville Police searched the boat [pictured with Mr Northcote on board] after a tip-off and found it was carrying a quantity of marijuana.

Buka District Magistrate, Vincent Linge, took into account that Nothcote was a first offender and his cooperation with police investigations.

Mr Linge said carrying drugs, no matter how small, was an offence and PNG does not tolerate people who do not respect the country’s laws.

He said that as Bougainville recovers from a bloody war, the last thing it wants to see is its visitors trafficking illegal drugs.

Mr Linge said genuine tourists are welcome in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, provided they abide by the country’s laws.

The six months jail sentence will be served in Buka.

The yacht has been forfeited to the government of Papua New Guinea.