Authorities in Papua New Guinea are currently examining a significant robbery incident that has occurred in the capital, Port Moresby. A group of armed individuals intercepted a security convoy, leading to the theft of 25 gold bars along with a substantial sum of cash amounting to $315,000.
The Police Commissioner, David Manning, has announced that a comprehensive investigation is underway following the early morning incident on Wednesday, during which two private security vehicles were ambushed while transporting the valuable cargo through the city streets.
According to Commissioner Manning, “At approximately 4:30 AM, two private security vehicles were stopped by unknown assailants in Port Moresby.” He elaborated that “ten armed robbers held the security personnel at gunpoint, stealing a significant amount of gold, cash, and firearms.”
Reports indicate that the gold bars included 20 from the Porgera Gold Mine in Enga province, which is operated by New Porgera Limited, and five from Golden Valley Enterprise Limited, a gold buying and exporting company based in Lae. The robbers also made off with a pump-action shotgun and a carbine belonging to the security team.
The exact specifications of the gold bars, including their weight and purity, remain unclear. However, it is known that a standard 1-kilogram gold bar generally retails for around $200,000, while larger bars, such as those held in central bank reserves, weigh approximately 12.4 kilograms and can be valued at over $2 million. Although the precise value and weight of the stolen gold are still being verified, a senior police official has described this theft as potentially one of the most significant in the nation’s history, likely amounting to millions.
The sequence of events leading to the ambush reveals that the cash-in-transit vehicles left their security base shortly after 4:30 AM, en route to Papua New Guinea’s International Airport via the Poreporena Freeway. Upon nearing a roundabout, they encountered what appeared to be a staged roadblock. When the driver of the lead vehicle attempted to inquire about passing through, he was threatened at gunpoint. Subsequently, three additional vehicles blocked the convoy’s exit.
Close to ten armed assailants, some reportedly wielding military-style firearms, forced the security personnel from both vehicles at gunpoint before fleeing with the gold, cash, and weapons. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or gunfire during the incident.
Commissioner Manning noted that preliminary assessments indicated deficiencies in the handling of the transport operation. “The police were not informed about the movement prior to its occurrence,” he stated. He added that several witnesses, including the private security teams and personnel from the involved companies, are being interviewed as part of the investigation process. “This incident is very serious. Initial observations suggest that the transport of these valuables by the security company was inadequately managed,” he continued.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the security measures surrounding the transport, particularly in relation to alarm and response protocols. Reports indicate that at least four individuals are currently being interrogated by investigators as efforts continue to identify those responsible and recover the stolen items.
Police Deputy Commissioner of Specialist Operations, Donald Yamasombi, who is leading the investigation, remarked that this heist is among the largest since the infamous criminal William Kapris. Kapris was involved in a notorious 2007 armed robbery during which thieves made off with K78,000 ($25,000) in cash and gold valued at over K2 million ($630,000) from a Port Moresby refining facility. He was ultimately killed by police in 2013 after evading capture for several months following a prison escape.
