Police have arrested and charged a 42 year old businessman today after he was found to have illegally stored live explosives and ammunitions at a warehouse in Ranadi.

The 42 year old was arrested after police investigation with the assistance of the Solomon Islands Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit identified a large number of ammunitions and unexploded ordnances at the warehouse.

Police detective obtained a search warrant and with the assistance of EOD officers, searched the warehouse and the premises on 30 September 2008. A number of live explosives and ammunitions were identified and seized. These items were safely removed because they pose a serious danger to human lives and property.

The search warrant was executed by SIPF officers when the search was carried out with the support of the PPF and RAMSI Military.

The suspect was arrested at his Tavio Ridge home at approximately 10.00am this morning.

The suspect has been charged with four counts which include Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Unlawful Possession of Explosives for Unlawful Purpose, Breach of Recovery and Removal Licence, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunitions. He is expected to appear in court on 22 October 2008.

At approximately 12:00 noon today, EOD officers destroyed some of the seized explosives and live ammunition at the Hell's Point at Tenaru.

Team leader for the EOD Unit Senior Sergeant Emmanuel Maepurina said that the ammunitions are not safe for storage so they will be destroyed by demolition.

"The ammunitions are not safe to be stored so they will be destroyed. Today is the first of several demolition exercises that we will be carrying out after seizing the ammunitions", Senior Sergeant Maepurina said.

Keeping and storing live explosives and ammunitions is an offence and it poses extreme danger to human lives if handled inappropriately.

Source: Police Media Unit