A MAN believed to be a Papua New Guinean (PNG) national has been remanded in custody yesterday by the Honiara Magistrate’s Court for allegedly possessing a rifle gun and live rounds.
Dilys Tulosoi of Bougainville has been charged with one count of possession of firearms and ammunition without licence.
Tulosoi was allegedly on his way to Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL area) on Tuesday (September 18) intending to sell the .22 Riffle and 20 Ammunition live rounds to a buyer there when police pulled his vehicle over at a market stall at Henderson area, East Honiara.
Police approached the vehicle and apprehended Tulosoi who was at that time in possession of the Riffle with two mobile phones.
Prosecution alleged that between 3pm and 7pm on that day, police following some intelligence reportly conducted a search for a .22 Riffle with 20 Ammunition live rounds intended for sale by the accused to a buyer at the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil Limited (GPPOL) area.
It was alleged that the accused who is believed to be a Bougainville and part New Ireland, resides with his brother at an area in Lungga.
According to police informant the .22 blot action riffle was kept under the custody of the accused’s relative from Bougainville.
It was further alleged that the riffle was handed over to the accused in Honiara.
The accused allegedly intended to go over to where he used to reside to get a Pump Action Riffle for sale at GPPOl but the plan, however, did not work out so he instead decided to go to GPPOL to sell the .22 Riffle instead.
Tulosoi is due in court again on October 4.
Public Prosecutor Bradley made the remand application before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti who granted the application.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN, SolomonStarNews
