POLICE are investigating and hunting for three local middle men who have been issued with nearly $180 million in cash to buy gold in Honiara but have yet to show up with any gold, according to informed sources.
The money was allegedly paid by three Asians to three Solomon Islands nationals, including a police constable.
The trio (Asians) are helping police in their investigations. Charges have not been laid, because the Asians still believe the Solomon Islands nation would come good in their promises by delivering on their promises, according to informed sources.
They were to deliver on their promises three days ago but by Thursday the Solomon Islanders never showed up.
By Thursday night, the matter was reported to police, fearing they could have been coned.
Informed sources said the three Solomon Islanders are of questionable characters to police.
The Solomon Star has withheld their names unless and until charges have laid, the informed sources told Solomon Star
The police officer is said to be from Temotu Province, while the other two men are from Malaita, the highly informed source said.
The Asians used the Solomon Islanders to buy refined gold from numerous “we buy gold” outlets which have suddenly mushroomed around Honiara.
“They handed the $178.5 million in cash to the three Solomon Islanders with promises to deliver the gold. They waited in vain just as they did in day, with a proviso that police wait one more day.
Given that the money was given at a time of political instability, many questions have been asked as to whether the gold buying is simply an alibi.
Prime Minister Jeremiah’s GNUT coalition is facing the third vote of no confidence on Monday 13 October 2022.
By Alfred Sasako
