Seven arrested over Airport robbery, alleged mastermind captured in Santo

January 5, 2026 11:03 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

A reliable source has confirmed to the Vanuatu Daily Post that as of yesterday, seven suspects allegedly involved in Vanuatu’s unprecedented airport robbery have been arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation and questioning.

The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) is still reluctant to issue an official statement on the case, as investigations are still ongoing. It is understood that more arrests are expected as police continue their inquiries.

According to information obtained by the Daily Post, one suspect was arrested yesterday morning in the Kawenu area of Port Vila. Another suspect, believed by investigators to be the mastermind behind the robbery, was arrested on Sunday night in Santo and was expected to be transferred to Port Vila yesterday.

Meanwhile, Facebook, the major social media platform in Vanuatu, has been flooded with a leaked photo of a prime suspect. The individual is believed to be a former member of the French Foreign Legion. The image was reportedly captured by persons believed to be police officers following the arrest.

A source stated that the suspect was seen on Friday, the second of this month, at the Port Vila International Airport while preparing to board an ATR aircraft bound for Luganville, Santo. His travel to Santo has raised suspicions among investigators that certain individuals in Santo may have links to the robbery and further investigations are expected to be carried out there. The VPF has yet to confirm whether any cash was transported to Santo by the suspect on that date.

Other suspects are believed to have been arrested in Port Vila and other parts of Efate. One suspect was reportedly arrested in Port Vila on Saturday at midday following the recovery of the white minivan by the VPF in Forari, south Efate on Saturday.