DPP SPEAKS OUT: Drug Raid Exposes Legislative Gaps in Solomon Islands

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• Under existing law, it is not illegal to possess or even manufacture methylamphetamine in Solomon Islands

• RSIPF officers seized a white plastic bag containing pink crystalline substance, which forensic analysis confirmed to be methylamphetamine.

• Foreign national arrested

• Additional evidence suggesting domestic production and distribution of controlled substances was also recovered.

Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Kelesi has highlighted critical gaps in Solomon Islands’ drug legislation following a recent police operation that resulted in the arrest of a foreign national.

Over the weekend, officers from the Police Response Team (PRT) conducted an intelligence-led raid on a residence in East Honiara belonging to a foreign national. During the operation, officers seized a white plastic bag containing pink crystalline substance, which forensic analysis confirmed to be methylamphetamine. Additional evidence suggesting domestic production and distribution of controlled substances was also recovered.

The foreign national was subsequently detained at the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) at Rove police headquarters while investigations continue.

According to the DPP, the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) serves as the principal legislation governing drug offences in Solomon Islands, criminalizing substances including cocaine and methamphetamine. Methylamphetamine—locally known as ‘Ice’—was added to the Act’s schedule through Legal Notice No. 101/1987 or Legal Notice No. 6/1988, making it subject to the offences outlined in Part 3 of the Act.

“However, Part 3 only covers importing, exporting, and transporting dangerous drugs. Critically, the current legislation does not criminalize possession, supply, or manufacturing of these substances. This means that under existing law, it is not illegal to possess or even manufacture methylamphetamine in Solomon Islands,” said Kelesi.

The DPP emphasized the urgent need for lawmakers to address these legislative gaps before the situation deteriorates further, as activities that should clearly be criminal remain outside the scope of current legislation.