Police arrest two male adult persons for stealing sea cucumbers worth around 170k at MOI

Auki Police recently arrested two male adults for stealing bêche-de-mer (sea cucumber) worth SBD $169,000 at Luaniua on the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

The arrest occurred during a planned operation that began on July 17, 2026, after community chiefs and leaders raised alarm about undesired behaviours in the community.

When police detectives arrived at MOI, they gathered evidence about the housebreaking and removal of a substantial amount of bêche-de-mer stored by suspects.

The two suspects, aged 43 and 32, were apprehended on July 24 with the assistance of the Crime Prevention Committee (CPC) and community leaders and taken to Auki for further proceedings.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Malaita Province, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea, stated the suspects have been charged with housebreaking to commit a felony, contrary to Section 301 of the Penal Code.

Superintendent Ramosaea said both suspects are currently remanded at the Auki Correctional Facility, awaiting trial on a later date.

PPC Ramosaea said the 32-year-old defendant faces a further charge for allegedly threatening and using abusive words.

Mr Ramosaea applauds the good effort done by Auki police personnel, alongside the cooperation from the Luaniua CPC, village chiefs, and the community leaders.

He said this collaborative effort is exactly what police expected. Our community-led security aids national law enforcement in suppressing crime, especially when we confront constraints regarding resources and geographical areas.