Solomon Islands Police investigate drug found in a boat washed ashore to Ulawa
A team of investigators from the Royal Solomon
Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have travelled to Ulawa Island in the Makira Ulawa
Province this week following discovery of alleged drugs in a boat.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) for Crime and
Intelligence Ian Vaevaso says, “A wooden dingy was found washed ashore on Ulawa
Island on 30 October 2019. There were packages resembling illegal drugs inside
the dingy.”
AC Vaevaso says, “Police at the Taheramo
Police Post responded and attended the scene and examined the packages. They
discovered a number of A4 size plastic bags containing green plant matter. The
packages were well and professionally stacked/stored inside the dingy.”
“With
the support of a team of police officers from Honiara Police a total of about 415
packages include 4 x lose packed substance, bottles were removed from the
dinghy by police. Observations made on the dingy indicate that this boat may
have been floating/drifting at the sea for a while as sea weeds and mussels
have grown around the boat.”
“Police conducted a Presumptive Forensics Test
which indicated the substance may be Cannabis (marijuana). However further scientific
tests and analysis will need to be conducted by RSIPF Forensics when the drugs get
to Honiara,” says AC Vaevaso.
There has been no suspicious boats or yachts
seen sailing around Ulawa Island during the discovery. It is alleged the dingy
may have drifted to the Island.
The RSIPF is working is now working with its
regional security and intelligence partners to identify if there is any
criminal or organised transnational criminal syndicate involved in this
transhipment and trafficking through our borders. Police is also going to
investigate whether the drugs are from within.
A Police Patrol Boat has been deployed to Ulawa
to transport the drugs back to Honiara.
Any member of the community who has any
information about this incident, or has seen the boat before, should contact
your local police or the RSIPF National Criminal Investigation Department.
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