SI: POLICE CRACK-DOWN ON THE BREWING AND SELLING OF ILLICIT KWASO (HOME BREW)

SI: POLICE CRACK-DOWN ON THE BREWING AND SELLING OF ILLICIT KWASO (HOME BREW)

Posted by : Posted on : 16-Aug-2019

16 August 2019

RSIPF enforcement action to stop Kwaso production.

�It is encouraging to note that the RSIPF is actively pursuing an intensive operation to crack-down on the illegal brewing and sale of kwaso throughout the Solomon Islands.

A police media statement this week outlined the RSIPF�s operation and said:

(Quote)

Kwaso is illegal. It affects the health of people who consume the home brew and it causes social problems including violence in families and the community at large.

�The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) is issuing the warning as it continues to roll out the Kwaso Action Plan throughout the provinces with stakeholders including the National and Provincial Governments, the private sector, the justice sector, the youth sector, Crime Prevention Councils, non-government organisations, councils of chiefs, civil organisations.

�The Plan is aimed at disrupting the production and distribution of kwaso through inter-agency, inter-provincial and multi-unit policing operations as well as zero tolerance policing of kwaso production and distribution offences.

�Kwaso, including its production, selling and possession is illegal. It has an immediate and long term effect on the body. The consumption of kwaso can also cause a lot of social problems including violence in the family and the communities. It is also a common factor in road accidents as well as street crime and violence,� says Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Manelugu, who chairs the RSIPF Kwaso Action Plan Committee.

�ACP Manelugu explains: �Brewing of kwaso is illegal in Solomon Islands. If you are caught with any equipment for producing kwaso, producing it or assisting someone to produce it, selling or in possession of kwaso, you will be arrested and charged.�

�If you are arrested and found guilty by a Court for breaking the law regarding kwaso you can receive a fine up to $30,000.00 or five years imprisonment or both,� says ACP Manelugu.

�He adds: �As the RSIPF�s frontline officers continue to raid and arrest people who are producing, selling and in possession of kwaso throughout the country, the Crime Prevention Department continues to conduct awareness in communities to educate our people on the effects of kwaso on your health as well as your life generally. Provincial �Police Commanders (PPCs) are also implementing their provincial Kwaso Action Plans.�

The RSIPF appeals to all members of the public to do their bit to stop kwaso affecting our population especially our youth. We know who is brewing kwaso in our villages or settlements. Report them to your chiefs and other community leaders or to the nearest police station. We cannot allow this illegal substance to affect our nation,� says ACP Manelugu.�

Source: RSIPF Media

I very much hope the current operations will succeed in stopping the brewing of kwaso and suggest a similar kind of operation be instituted to stop the growing of marijuana and its use.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

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