4 PNG nationals detained for alleged illegal entry into SI

RSIPF remands four PNG nationals for alleged illegal entry into Solomon Islands

The National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have charged and remanded four Papua New Guinea nationals for alleged illegal entry into Solomon Islands on 26 December 2020.

Director NCID, Superintendent Michael Bole says, “The four suspects from Tasman Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG) allegedly entered Solomon Islands waters on 26 December 2020 with the intention to find the local homebrew, kaleve.

Superintendent Bole says, “There are three 19-year-old male suspects and a 34-year-old person who were arrested, charged and remanded at the Correctional Services Solomon Islands (CSSI), Rove. They will appear in the Honiara Central Magistrates’ Court on 5 February 2021.

“Police stationed in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) arrested the suspects and they were transported by patrol boat to Honiara after medical officers dealt with them in the MOI.”

“Since arriving in Honiara, the four detainees had undergone another medical assessment and confirmed negative for the COVID-19. The four suspects were then released to the RSIPF to deal with them for alleged illegal entry into Solomon Islands territory.”

Superintendent Bole explains, “The suspects have been charged under the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) regulation 2020. (PROHIBITION OF ENTRY OF NON-CITIZEN, contrary to clause 4 of the EMERGENCY POWERS ( COVID-19) ( Prohibition of entry of non-citizen Order 2020 Regulation 7 (4) and of the emergency Powers COVID-19) (No.4) Regulation 2020.

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