14 suspects surrender after gang leader’s death

THE 14 suspects involved in the Tigak anarchy saga in New Ireland surrendered to police with their weapons last weekend, says provincial police commander Chief Inspector Felix Nebanat.
He said the 14 and others were part of a gang which had been in the past three years conducting criminal activities on the Tigak group of islands.
“The suspects surrendered following the death of their ring leader who was shot dead in a raid conducted by the police last Thursday,” he said.
They were given seven days to surrender.
Nebanat said the operations team was formed to conduct a search for the suspects after reports of damage to properties on Ungan Island.
He said local police were threatened and called for reinforcement.
The police mobile squad from Tomaringa in East New Britain responded.
The operation began on May 27. All the suspects were arrested.
“The criminals are responsible for lawless acts without any remorse, causing anxiety and fear in the Tigak Islands, Ungan, Nonovaul, Salampiu, Kavin and other neighboring islands,” he said.
The crimes included killings, arson, armed robberies, marijuana cultivation, sale and consumption of homebrew and creating a nuisance in public.
He commended team leader Chief Sergeant Silau Nambulasa and his team for successfully rounding up the suspects.