Suspected sea pirates in police custody

By JIMMY KALEBE
FIVE men suspected of sea piracy are in police custody at the Morobe Patrol Post, Huon Gulf after they allegedly attacked a boat off Mayama village coast last Thursday.
Lae police were dispatched yesterday to pick them up and take them to Lae where formal charges were expected to be laid.
Two victims of the incident were admitted at Angau Memorial Hospital, one with his left hand chopped off. A third victim is being treated at the Morobe Health Centre for hand injuries.
Provincial police commander Superintendent Alex N’Drasal said pirates allegedly stole a 75hp outboard motor earlier and were keeping watch for boats that travelled to and from Lae from an island near Mayama.
“The pirates confronted the boat that was travelling from Lae with only three men and chopped the victims with knives,” he said.
According to N’Drasal, the Morobe Patrol Post police received the report of the incident the next day, conducted an investigation and apprehended two suspects.
The other three suspects were handed to the police by people on Monday, he said.
“I am warning the boat owners to register their boats and also to take heed of the weather before going out to sea at this time when the province is experiencing rain and winds,” he said.