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 brought to Parliament in the next sitting.

According to the DPP, the DDA is the principal legislation governing drug offences in Solomon Islands, criminalizing substances including cocaine and methamphetamine.

Methylamphetamine—commonly known as “Ice”—was added to the Act’s schedule through Legal Notice No. 101 of 1987 or Legal Notice No. 6 of 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.

Thus, the current legislation does not criminalize possession, supply, or manufacturing of these substances, meaning that under our existing law, it is not illegal to possess or even manufacture Methylamphetamine in Solomon Islands.

Wale said the legislative gaps are serious and that the Ministry of Justice & Legal Affairs must immediately bring an amendment to Parliament.

“This is a serious legislative gap that needs immediate attention by authorities,” he said.

“I find it hard to understand why serious legislative gaps especially dealing with the current legislation does not criminalize possession, supply, or manufacturing of Methylamphetamine or ice is not illegal in Solomon Islands,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the government through relevant authorities should collaborate with the foreigners home governments so that they are arrested, deported and charged in their home country under their relevant laws.

Due to the gaps in the Act, a Chinese national arrested recently for possessing meth was released without being charged.c