Five Australian men have been arrested in Papua New Guinea for possessing almost half a kilogram of marijuana on their yacht.
The men were picked up on Friday in the Autonomous Bougainville Region, in PNG's east, having sailed from the Solomon Islands, sources told AAP.
After a tip-off from locals, police searched their yacht and discovered 470g of marijuana.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed Friday's arrests.
"A 46-year old Australian man from Queensland and four other Australians (are) all on drug charges," he said.
"The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby has arranged for its representative to visit the five Australians in detention to provide them with consular assistance," he said.
On Monday in the Bougainville town of Buka the five men faced court on drug possession charges. They were each granted 1,000 kina (A$400) bail to reappear on Thursday.
It is understood local authorities are investigating whether the group has proper customs and immigration papers.
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