BY NED GAGAHE
The vast and scattered geography of the Solomon Islands is creating growing vulnerabilities to drug trafficking, customs officials have warned, pointing to extensive marine borders, multiple entry points, and informal shipping networks as key risk factors.
Appearing before the Bills and Legislation Committee yesterday on the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Bill 2025, John Lagi, Supervising Comptroller of Solomon Islands Customs and Excise said the country’s physical layout presents unique border security challenges.
Mr Lagi told the committee that Solomon Islands dispersed islands and long coastline make monitoring and enforcement particularly complex.
Unlike countries with consolidated land borders, Solomon Islands consists of hundreds of islands spread across a vast maritime domain.
He said this creates numerous potential points of entry for illicit goods, including drugs.
Mr Lagi said that border control operations must cover not only major ports but also smaller provincial wharves and informal landing sites, stretching already limited resources.
The geographical spread, he said, makes comprehensive surveillance difficult and increases the risk of undetected trafficking activity.
Customs acknowledged that monitoring such a wide maritime area poses significant logistical challenges. Limited surveillance assets and personnel must cover expansive ocean territory, leaving potential gaps that criminal networks could exploit.
Lagi said that traffickers may take advantage of remote islands and lightly monitored coastal areas to move illicit substances through the country.
He said that strengthening maritime surveillance and improving intelligence coordination would be critical to addressing these vulnerabilities.
Another concern raised was the widespread use of small vessels and informal shipping networks for domestic and inter-island transport.
While these networks are vital for trade and community connectivity, he said they can also be exploited for illicit purposes due to minimal documentation requirements and irregular monitoring.
Mr Lagi said that transnational organised crime groups are increasingly using Pacific Island states as transit points for methamphetamine and cocaine shipments.
He said the proposed amendments to the drug law send a strong deterrent message but emphasised that enforcement efforts must take into account the country’s geographic realities.
If passed, the reforms are expected to strengthen border protection, Customs made clear that geography will remain one of Solomon Islands’ greatest security challenges.
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