THE first batch of the 40 Vietnamese who were detained at Rove Police club for stealing our marine resources have been deported back to their home country, Wednesday.
This was made possible after the Vietnamese government and family members, through its embassy in Canberra, stepped in to pay off the total fine for the 40 “robbers”.
A total fine of USD$4,300 (about SBD$30,000) had been transferred to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) account through the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI).
Immigration Officer Chris Akosawa yesterday said four of the Vietnamese have stepped on a plane en route to Vietnam on Wednesday morning.
“The remaining crew will fly sometimes next week depending on their airline bookings,” Mr Akosawa said.
He said they will all travel under lasser passer- a travel document for special cases.
He added that this is a relief for their office and spending wise of the government.
The case of their three captains, Do Van Va, Vo Van Vi, and Nguyen Nguyen are pending in the High Court.
They will be dealt with by the High Court given that the maxim fine for the offences they allegedly committed ranges from $100,000 to $12 million.
The three captains are facing charges of illegal entry into Fisheries water without an appropriate entry permit approved by Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, prohibition of catching, selling of Beche-de-mer, permitting Fishing gears on board Fishing vessel in the Fisheries waters, and engaging in activity relating to fish processing for the purpose of export without a valid licence.
By TEDDY KAFO
