A series of police raids conducted by the Zulu/Sector Patrol Unit in Madang on February 18, 2025, led to a shootout with armed criminals, the seizure of illegal firearms, and the apprehension of a suspect, police confirmed. Madang Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim, said the raids took place in Siar village, Biliau Maus Rot settlement (BMR), and Sisiak 2, targeting criminal activity in the district. The first incident occurred at 7:30 a.m. near Coffee Mill, close to RD Tuna Cannery along the North Coast Road, where an attempted armed hold-up resulted in an exchange of gunfire between criminals and a lone police officer. A brown truck, registered as LBT 772, was traveling from Bogia to Madang on company business when it was ambushed near Kaukau Bridge. Ten armed men emerged from the roadside jungle, brandished firearms, and attempted to hold up the driver and passengers, which included a Chinese national. “The driver quickly applied the brakes and reversed the truck as shots were fired at the vehicle, forcing the criminals to flee,” Acting Superintendent Baim said. A named officer of the Water Police Unit, who was traveling in an unmarked RD Tuna Fishing vehicle, witnessed the incident and fired several shots at the criminals. A brief gunfight ensued, during which one suspect was hit but managed to escape with his gang. No police officers or company employees were injured, though the truck’s radiator was damaged. Later that day, police responded to a tip-off about young men selling illegal weapons at the Sisiak 2 market. Upon arrival, the suspects had already fled, but officers discovered an unregistered homemade vehicle (KP26) with armed criminals onboard. “The homemade vehicle, fabricated in February 2025, was seized and taken to Jomba Police Station.” “A search of the vehicle uncovered two homemade firearms and 20 rounds of live ammunition of various types,” Baim stated. Police also apprehended a suspect, Hilon Pias, who was later escorted to Jomba Police Station. “The use of homemade guns and live ammunition remains a serious threat to public safety and law enforcement,” Baim added. Police investigations into the incidents are currently still ongoing.