Solomon Islands has forfeited Chinese vessel MV Wealth under the Immigration Act 2012 following an investigation into illegal entry.
The Solomon Islands Government now officially owns the Chinese vessel MV Wealth after it was seized and forfeited under the Immigration Act 2012.
The Director of Immigration exercised powers under Section 58(1) of the Immigration Act 2012 to forfeit the vessel following a successful joint investigation into its illegal entry into Solomon Islands on 9th June 2026.
The joint investigation was conducted by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Customs, Immigration, Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), Biosecurity and the Ministry of Health. The investigation concluded and satisfied the Director of Immigration to seize and forfeit MV Wealth.
MV Wealth was first sighted in Rennell and Bellona waters and was arrested by Police Maritime on 9th June 2026. Police patrol boat PSIPV 05 Gizo responded, apprehended the vessel and escorted it to Honiara, where the Comptroller of Customs detained it under Customs legislation.
On Friday 9th October 2026, the Director of Immigration, Mr Christopher Akosawa, issued a Seizure and Forfeiture Notice under Section 58(3) (a) and (b) of the Immigration Act 2012.
The investigation found that MV Wealth failed to meet legal requirements for entry into Solomon Islands.
Mr Akosawa confirmed that under Section 43(1) of the Immigration Act 2012, the Master of MV Wealth failed to declare the vessel’s entry into Solomon Islands.
As a result, the presence of its crew in Solomon Islands contravenes Section 28(1) of the Immigration Act, and they are deemed unlawful non-citizens.
The vessel was forfeited under Section 58(1) of the Immigration Act 2012 for engaging in illicit trading of cigarettes and for transporting unlawful non-citizens.
Following the Immigration investigation, Police have charged the Master and crew under the Immigration Act and Passport legislation. The crew are currently remanded at the Rove Correctional Centre awaiting the conclusion of the case, after which they will be deported from Solomon Islands.
MV Wealth is now state property and rests with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Harry Kuma, MP, for administration of the state ownership process.
SOURCE// GCU PRESS RELEASE
