A NUMBER of used ammunition from the second world war was confiscated at the international airport yesterday from an outbound passenger.
These included hand held grenade and cartridge shells.
This was reported to this paper by a source.
Airport Police when contacted by the Solomon Star yesterday to confirm the incident said, the person who wants to bring the war relics out from the country is an American.
Airport Police further explained that the tourist got the approval letter from National Museum, but failed to provide any letter from the Bomb Disposal Unit at Hells’ Point, stressing that EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) is the rightful authority to inspect such items for the purpose of safety.
Airport Police said that is the procedure to follow, thus the tourist did not board his flight awaiting clearance from EOD before he could travel.
When contacted yesterday, Comptroller of Customs Nathan Kama told the Solomon Star that he was not aware of any report from his officers at the airport, but reiterated that this is against the law for anyone to take old war relics out from the country.
He said under the Arms and Ammunition Act, as well as the Customs & Excise Act, such items are not allowed to be taken out of the country.
“If the incident to smuggle those things out is true then that is an act of terrorism.”
Kama said it is against the law for anyone to take war relics out of Solomon Islands.
By AATAI JOHN