303 rifle, live bullets found inside car
TWO men have been arrested, charged and remanded in police custody yesterday for possessing a gun, live bullets and a knife in their vehicle on Monday in Honiara.
Eddie Iro Kwanairara, 41, and 29 year-old Willie Laukene Nunu were charged with one count each of possession of firearm without license and one count of possession of ammunitions (bullets) without license.
They were charged under section 5(2) (a) of the Firearm and Ammunition Act.
Both men were remanded in custody after Deputy Chief Magistrate Shepherd Lapo refused a bail application lodged on their behalf.
Leonard Chite of Public Solicitor’s Office, who represented both men, had applied for bail stating that it would affect his clients’ job as they are both working men and they are the only sole bread winners for their families.
He also submitted his clients have children at home who are currently without assistance for their well being.
Mr Chite also told the court one of his clients looks after his six children since his wife is currently overseas.
Police Prosecutor Elson Konle however, objected to bail saying police feared the accused have a high chance to abscond bail.
He said the two accused had on several occasions on the early hours of Monday escaped from police when police tried to arrest them.
He also submitted that police have strong evidence against them.
Mr Konle said this matter is just a fresh one, and that police have avenues to continue to investigate.
He said police need ample time to complete their investigation and feared if both accused are released on bail, it might interfere with others who might have involved in the same matter.
Mr Lapo having heard submissions from the prosecution and the defence said though he accepts the defence submissions that both accused have the rights to bail the court has the discretion whether or not to grant the bail.
He took note that both accused have families to support but added that there is strong evidence that if both accused are released on bail they will abscond since they had on several occasions escaped from police.
“The case before me, is there is likelihood of them absconding bail and therefore the application for bail is refused.”
The matter will return to the Honiara Magistrates’ Court again on May 16.
The accused men were spotted in a black car at about 2.35 am on May 1 by the Police Response Team (PRT) officers conducting a high visibility patrol around town area.
The car was driving up towards the Florence Young School road from the Kukum junction in the opposite lane in a careless manner at a high speed.
Police alleged that having spotted that manner of driving, a police party then tailed the car.
Just opposite the Kukum Police the car stopped and police monitored the accused persons and identified them.
Police alleged they were drinking beer.
As the PRT contacted the Traffic officers through radio for a breathalyser test, the car took off and later stopped at the Bahai area.
The PRT at that time then made a call for backup and kept following the car.
It was alleged that when the car made another stop at the Honiara City Council area, police approached the two accused and invited them to follow them to the Central Police Station.
As they drove down to the Central Police Station, police alleged the car drove at high speed and went past the police station.
Police however, managed to halt the car just at the junction opposite the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) area and then escorted them to the police station.
Police then searched their car and found in the boot one fire arm, seven live bullets and a knife.
Police Commissioner Matthew Varley in a special conference yesterday described the confiscated gun as a shortened 303 rifle.
He said the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) are taking this matter very seriously and are committed to removing illegal firearms from our streets.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
