BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
The Iriqila Community in Vella, Western Province, has taken firm action against individuals involved in the cultivation and sale of marijuana, following a community-led operation earlier this month.
Chairlady of the Iriqila Community Police Service Committee (ICPSC), Edah Pige, confirmed that 150 marijuana plants were uprooted during an operation carried out on Monday, January 5, 2026.
She said the ICPSC identified two brothers as the main culprits behind the illegal activity, accusing them of planting and selling marijuana to youths in Iriqila and surrounding villages in North Vella La Vella.
According to Pige, a team of 48 Iriqila Community Police (ICP) members travelled by boat to Makuana village on January 5 and summoned the two brothers to surrender their marijuana plantation.
“These two brothers have been poisoning Iriqila youths and the neighbourhoods with marijuana for so long.
“We no longer tolerate such behaviour and acted to stop this unwanted influence,” she said.
Pige acknowledged the recent establishment of the Iriqila Community Police Service Committee on December 19, 2025, with support from the Community Police Service Unit (CPSU) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Gizo.
She said a total of 49 community members—24 females and 25 males—have been officially appointed as Community Police under the ICPS bylaw.
“We are very grateful after waiting for almost three years for our ICPS bylaw to be in place. One of our chiefs in Iriqila was tasked in 2022 to produce a bylaw for community law and order, and finally, in collaboration with CPSU Gizo Police, we can now assist the RSIPF in maintaining law and order in our rural setting,” Pige said.
She said the committee will not hesitate to enforce its powers within its jurisdiction, which stretches from Maraziana to Takisukuru.
Pige said a set of rules has been established through community bylaws by local chiefs and will soon be endorsed by Gizo Police, either later this month or early next month.
She said offenders who breach the bylaws will be fined on the spot, with the money directed towards the ICPS fund to support ongoing community policing activities.
Photo credit: ICPSC
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
