East New Britain law enforcement has executed a massive, multi-front crackdown on crime and communal violence, culminating in the sentencing of 105 individuals, the arrest of 125 additional suspects, and an active manhunt following a prison break.
The Kokopo District Court on Monday, 13 October, convicted and sentenced 105 people following a violent clash involving three villages. All defendants pleaded guilty and received a two-year imprisonment sentence, which was fully suspended in favor of a two-year good behavior bond. Any breach of this bond carries a K2,000 penalty or immediate activation of the prison term.
Police Commissioner David Manning commended the swift court outcome, stating it sends a clear message that communal violence will not be tolerated.
Despite the court's ruling, separate violence erupted in the Raluana LLG between Nanuk, Tinganalom, and Ranguna villages, resulting in arson and a recent murder. Following intense negotiations, police arrested 85 people:
- 29 suspects from Tinganalom
- 29 suspects from Nanuk
- 27 suspects from Ranguna
Additionally, a separate tactical sweep led to the arrest of 40 individuals from Gelagela. Authorities note that this proactive sweep effectively deterred out-of-control gatherings over the weekend, with the community expressing strong hope that these targeted sweeps will permanently halt regional violence.
In a breakthrough for a separate case, personnel from the Gelagela Police Post and the Drugs Unit successfully charged two juvenile males and one adult male with the murder of a Gelagela man who died last week from dual stab wounds.
Police and Correctional Institutional Services (CIS) personnel are actively hunting for three high-risk escapees currently at large in the community. Late last week, four inmates broke out of the Kerevat Corrective Institution. Due to the swift, immediate action of the Kerevat Corrections Commander and CIS staff, one escapee was instantly recaptured, while a joint security operation remains underway to track down the remaining three.
On Sunday, 18 October, Rabaul police intercepted and apprehended several men caught red-handed digging up Telikom PNG infrastructure wiring. Criminal charges are being processed as investigators tie the suspects to a wider localized wire-theft ring.
Amid the heavy operational weekend, ENB Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Amanda Kates highly praised local Year 12 students for celebrating their national examination completions responsibly, noting that police responded to only a single minor noise complaint. "I thank the students and wish them well in whatever they do from this point on," Chief Superintendent Kates stated.