By Martha Louis – PC Online Contributor

Copyright postcourier

A man believed to be a key suspect in a long-running piracy and stolen-firearm case on the Ramu River was shot during a dawn operation and later pronounced dead at Modilon General Hospital, police said.

The early-morning raid on Musungaup boat stop was carried out by a joint team from the PNG Defence Force’s Igam Engineering Battalion, the Madang police detachment and the National Criminal Intelligence Unit.

The operation targeted suspects accused of stealing a PNGDF firearm and taking part in armed attacks on river users since 2024.

Police say the prime suspect, named in the operation as Lesly Jack Gretari, tried to attack the team with a weapon.

He was shot and initially taken to Waliom Health Centre, then transferred to Modilon General Hospital where medical staff later pronounced his death. Another man, Glinik Bongi, was arrested at the scene and is in police custody for questioning.

Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Robert Baim spoke firmly about the operation and the force’s aims. “Our men have been on this case for a long time.

These people were a real danger to those who travel the Ramu,” he said. “Police will not tolerate such shallow-minded people who think they are above the law.

We are here to protect life and property and if you try to take someone’s life with an offensive weapon, we will ensure we get you first.

I’m calling on all outstanding suspects on the matter to surrender for the better — we will not stop until it’s over.”

The operation follows months of intelligence work in Madang Province. Authorities said investigations will continue and asked local communities to keep providing information about river crime and illegal weapons so police can bring others involved to justice.