A main security service provider for refugees detained on Manus Island has purchased Papua New Guinea's largest security firm.
Manus Island refugees protest at West Lorengau Haus. Photo: supplied
The Australian Financial Review reported that Australia-registered private security company Paladin Solutions recently purchased PNG's Black Swan.
It comes after Paladin's local PNG director, Kisokau Powaseu, was detained in Port Moresby last month and charged with misappropriating funds and money laundering.
Furthermore, according to the Review, Paladin's Australian founder and executive, Craig Thrupp, is no longer able to enter PNG.
Black Swan, which has repeatedly fended off claims it has links to PNG's prime minister Peter O'Neill, has dominated the country's private security industry in recent years.
Meanwhile, Paladin has made a reported $US300 million worth of Australian government contracts for almost two years' worth of work on Manus.
Last year, Australia's government refused a senate request for information on Paladin and other contractors providing service for refugees held on its behalf on Manus.
According to the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, revealing more information about the Paladin contract could harm Australia's relations with PNG.