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The Office of the Parliamentary Independent Group of Solomon Islands has welcomed a landmark High Court decision that clarifies legal procedures in the country’s fast-growing mining sector, describing the ruling as both “timely and significant.” The case centered on a dispute between the Thavia Clan, represented by Ms. Ethel Vokia,…
The Leader of the Independent Group in Parliament, Deacon Maelanga, has issued a strong call to action, urging the Government to immediately ratify the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). UNTOC is a critical international treaty designed to protect nations from the escalating threat of cross-border criminal networks.…
by Ronald Toito’ona Two villagers from Manasuu, Fourau in Northeast Malaita, discovered a narco submarine in Solomon Islands waters early this morning, marking the third such vessel found in the country in months and raising alarms over the Pacific’s role in global drug smuggling. The men, Martin Fugui Jr and…
Lagomarsino Baules, the son of a pro-China Palauan senator, was arrested in Fiji during a major anti-drug operation amid growing concerns over Chinese-linked criminal networks expanding influence in the Pacific. Reported byEmanuel Stoakes and Bernadette Carreon/OCCRP Among the 10 people arrested in Fiji last week in a major anti-drug operation…
Leader of Opposition Matthew Wale says legislative gaps under the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) allowing foreigners arrested for Methylamphetamine to walk free is a ‘serious systematic flaw’ in our legal system. The Opposition Leader said serious concerns raised by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) should be immediately addressed and amendments should be…
Chinese police are training local officers on how to deal with different drug-related crimes. The training comes in the wake of drug-related arrests police made in Honiara in recent times. “The training focused on strengthening the practical capabilities of RSIPF officers in anti-narcotics operations,” a statement police issued today said.…
Together, Australia and Solomon Islands are strengthening the law and justice sector by co-funding critical infrastructure and equipment upgrades, enabling the National Judiciary to give more Solomon Islanders access to justice. The refurbishment of Court Room 5 of the Solomon Islands High Court and the conversion of Court Room 2…
Solomon Islanders are being warned against spreading hurtful and disrespectful misbehaviour on social media that could lead to creating communal disharmony. Deputy Prime Minister Frederick Kologeto issued the warning in the wake of current social media commentaries relating to controversies surrounding the current Solomon Cup soccer tournament. Kologeto said police…
Organised crime exploits island nations’ vulnerabilities Pacific nations must urgently strengthen maritime enforcement as criminal networks deliberately exploit geographic vulnerabilities, generating unprecedented trafficking of drugs across the region. The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) says detection rates remain critically low amongst its 24 member countries, with organised crime generating NZ$1.6 billion(bn) (approximately…
A massive $85 billion tax discrepancy, reportedly uncovered by auditors investigating the tax affairs of Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Ltd (SITCO), has triggered a sharp internal rift within the Inland Revenue Division (IRD) — the government agency responsible for tax collection. IRD Commissioner Joseph Dokekana dismissed the assessment as unrealistic,…
