Illegal entry

The yacht was arrested after illegally entering Vanuatu waters near the island of Maewo in the northern part of the country.

Bold was directed by maritime police to sail to Port Vila for the captain to answer before the court, but it was suddenly released.

RNZ Pacific correspondent believes this was on the orders of the Deputy Prime Minister, Ishmael Kalsakau, after the owner had paid a fine of 10 million vatu or $US87,600 dollars.

The group from the Tasman Islands crossed over by boat to the Malaita Outer Islands on Boxing Day, allegedly to purchase the local homebrew called Kaleve.

They were arrested by police and screened by medical authorities in the outer islands before being transported to the capital.

In Honiara, they were further screened then released to police after testing negative for Covid-19.

Three 19-year-olds and a 34-year-old have been charged with illegal entry by a non-citizens under Covid-19 state of public emergency regulation.