Adequate powers essential for police to deal with drug offences

BY LORETTA B MANELE

Acting Police Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Mathias Lenialu said it is essential that the police are provided with the adequate powers to deal with drug offences.

He said this when RSIPF appeared before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) hearing on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2025 yesterday in parliament.

Speaking about methamphetamine, commonly known as meth entering the country, Lenialu said if they cannot catch the offenders, they cannot be fined.

He said in countries experiencing similar challenges such as Fiji, and Tonga, the criminal law contains additional offences.

“…. such as dealing with the prescription, chemicals and equipment used to manufacture drugs, and additional powers to investigate and detect drug networks through operations,” he said.

Lenialu said having such powers in place means that police will have the capacity to execute safe and evident drug busts, pointing out the recent drug bust in Fiji as an example.

“Having the right powers will also improve our capacity to work together with international partners,” he said.

The Acting Police Commissioner also spoke about how RSIPF resources will be impacted when they deal with the finding those responsible for bringing in Meth.

“There will not just be a cost for the individual. There may also be a cost in enforcing severe penalties for the Solomon Islands government.

“Since the fine for all offences in the meth roads is up to 15 million or life imprisonment, these offences cannot be dealt with in the magistrate’s court. See Magistrate’s Court Act Cap 2.0 and Section 2.7. This means that provincial police or correctional services may bear additional accommodation and food costs until court or on court circuit in that province,” he said.

Lenialu said if fines are imposed in minor cases but the offenders are unable to pay the fines, it is more likely that they will be imprisoned and as a result, the policing and correctional service portfolios may also have increasing costs for imprisonment.

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