Armed gang raids security cars of gold in one of PNG's biggest robberies
Gold bars worth millions of dollars and thousands in cash have been stolen at gunpoint in a brazen heist in Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea's police are probing one of the nation's most significant robberies. Armed men stormed a security convoy in Port Moresby, carting away 25 gold bars and approximately $315,000 in cash. A thorough investigation is now underway to determine the incident's details. Two private security vehicles were targeted while transporting precious items through a city street.
Authorities confirmed a major probe into the pre-dawn heist on Wednesday, involving two private security vehicles intercepted in Port Moresby. Ten armed assailants subdued the security crews, forcing them to hand over the gold, cash, and firearms. The stolen goods reportedly included 20 gold bars from the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga province and five from Lae-based Golden Valley Enterprise Limited.
Valued at $315,000 in cash and unspecified gold worth millions, the heist is considered one of the country's biggest in terms of stolen gold. Police Commissioner David Manning stated that the incident highlighted shortcomings in the transport operation, with no prior alerts issued to the police. Numerous witnesses, including security crew members and firm staff, are being interviewed.
Police Deputy Commissioner Donald Yamasombi, leading the investigation, compared this robbery to notorious criminal William Kapris' 2007 heist, emphasizing the severity of the recent event.
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