Police on Bougainville island in Papua New Guinea say they are unable to apprehend the eight men involved in an armed robbery in Solomon Islands.
The Royal Solomon Islands police are investigating the raid by the Bougainvilleans on a logging camp on Ovau Island last Thursday.
The police say several radios, eight chainsaws, fuel and a motorised boat were stolen and one man was assaulted.
The acting assistant police commissioner in Bougainville, Paul Kamoi, says they know who the men are.
"The police would like to investigate, but then if an investigation is made and if those who were involved - those suspects - are apprehended then we can't get them to the Solomons unless proper treaty arrangements have been made. Currently we don't have that in place between the Solomon Islands and PNG government."
Bougainville's acting assistant police commissioner, Paul Kamoi