LEA investigating illegal border crossing, 21 bag sea cucumber confiscated

Taro Police and other Solomon Island Government (SIG) Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA’s) are investigating five Bougainvillians who brought in 21 bags of sea cucumber (bêche-de-mer) last week illegally into the country.

This has happened after Taro police received a call from members of the public that five Bougainvillians were in Taro with bags of bêche-de-mer.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Superintendent Vincent Eria said we received the information and disseminated it to other LEA’s to focus on their tasks.

PPC Eria said mainly the Fisheries Division and Solomon Islands Immigration who will form part of the investigation.

Mr Eria said a Tahitian national was located and interviewed over the allegation of linkage to the 21 bags of bêche-de-mer confiscated. 21 bags of bêche-de-mer were kept at the Taro Police Station awaiting further instruction from the Fisheries Division.

“I am very impressed and appreciated with members of the community when they report this matter to police, and the way the LEA combined together to tackle this case,” says PPC Eria.

The PPC said the case is now being investigated and I appeal to the good people of Choiseul to report any such suspicious illegal border crossing between Bougainville and Solomon Islands. It is also an offence to keep the foreigners in our country and you do not report them to the Police.

Five Bougainvillians are still under police care while waiting for further instructions and dealings.