Members of the Solomon Islands Police Force and the Bougainville Police have joined efforts to curb illegal crossings at the Papua New Guinea sea border.
The Police Commissioner of Solomon Islands, Frank Prendergast, says the joint efforts are the results of illegal crossings.
He says the proximity of the Shortland Islands and Bougainville is the cause, and it's made more difficult as people on both sides of the border are blood relatives.
Mr Prendergast says the police will send extra officers to Mono Island in the Shortlands to help with security duties there.
He says Honiara and Port Moresby will be discussing the issue in their joint border talks next year.
Meanwhile, nine Bougainvillean men and a Shortland Islander who are facing immigration charges will appear for plea in the Central Magistrates Court in Honiara on November the 12th.
Solomons Police Chief Frank Prendergast, (foreground). Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins
