Police sent out to sea to track Baker gang

NORTHERN police have been deployed to the sea borders of Morobe and Milne Bay to track down Milne Bay-based criminals who may try to escape by boat.
Northern commander Michael Welly said a police unit in Northern had been sent out to hunt down the Tommy Baker Gang, which has been responsible for the recent spate of lawlessness in Alotau and Milne Bay.
He said 10 officers had been assigned to the task.
Welly said he had requested Southern Command to assist with additional manpower to hunt down Baker.
“The (sea) borders will be watched closely with all movements at sea to be monitored,” he said.
Welly said several businesshouses in Popondetta had come forward to assist with funding for security to stop the Tommy Baker gang from moving into Northern.
“At this time, provincial government and district administration are unable to help us due to funding not received from Waigani,” he said.
One group will be based at the Milne Bay border and the other at the Morobe order to watch for the Tommy Baker Gang and suspicious travellers.
Welly said his men would work on a shift basis.