Third Narco Sub Found in Northeast Malaita

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 Robinson Fugui, said they first spotted the object floating about half a kilometre offshore while travelling to Ata’a Market on their usual Saturday morning run.

“It was around 7am when we saw an object floating outside. 

“After the market, we returned to the village, bought five gallons of fuel, and went out again. As we got closer, we identified it as a boat,” Fugui Jr recalled, in an exclusive interview with In-depth Solomons.

When they climbed aboard, they saw that the engines had already been removed, suggesting the vessel had been abandoned and left to sink.

“It took us about three to four hours to tow it back to shore because it was filled with water,” Rubenson said.

After draining the vessel, the pair discovered various items inside, including plastic materials, and liquid substances. 

The sub measures approximately 17.6 metres in length and 2.4 metres in width.

They confirmed plans to report the discovery to police.

This is now the third narco sub found in Solomon Islands waters. The first was located near Lord Howe Island of Malaita Outer Islands (MOI), the second between North Malaita and Isabel, and this latest one in Ata’a, Northeast Malaita.

These discoveries have drawn attention to the region’s vulnerability to transnational organised crime. Law enforcement agencies are expected to conduct investigations to determine the origin of the vessel and whether it was connected to regional drug smuggling operations. 

Authorities have previously warned that the Pacific’s remote coastlines and vast ocean spaces make island nations like the Solomon Islands attractive transit points for international drug cartels moving narcotics to Asia and beyond. 

Further updates are expected from the Police on the latest discovery in Ata’a, Northeast Malaita.