The state now owns the Chinese vessel MV Wealth, which Immigration seized and forfeited under the Immigration Act 2012, the Government Communication Unit said. The Director of Immigration used powers under Section 58(1) of the Act after a joint investigation found the vessel had entered Solomon Islands illegally on 9 June 2026.
The vessel was first sighted in Rennell and Bellona waters, where Police Maritime arrested it that day. The patrol boat PSIPV 05 Gizo took it to Honiara, and the Comptroller of Customs then held it under Customs legislation.
The investigation was carried out by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Customs, Immigration, the Solomon Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA), Biosecurity and the Ministry of Health. On Friday 9 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.
Mr Akosawa said the vessel did not meet the legal requirements for entry, and that the Master did not declare its arrival as Section 43(1) of the Act requires. The crew are therefore unlawful non-citizens under Section 28(1), he said.
The unit said the forfeiture under Section 58(1) was for illicit trading of cigarettes and for carrying unlawful non-citizens. Police said the Master and crew have been charged under the Immigration Act and Passport legislation, and the unit said the crew are remanded at the Rove Correctional Centre until the case is concluded, after which they will be deported.
Responsibility for the state ownership process now sits with the Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon Harry Kuma, MP, the unit said.
Source: Based on "Government Forfeits and Takes Ownership of MV Wealth", issued by the Government Communication Unit on the Solomon Islands Government portal on 23 October 2026. https://solomons.gov.sb/government-forfeits-and-takes-ownership-of-mv-wealth/