Phocea Captain Fined For Customs Breaches In Vanuatu
Fined $3,300 for unauthorized entry, failure to report to customs

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, Nov. 15, 2012) – A Vanuatu Magistrate Court has ordered the skipper of the mega yacht Phocea, Richard Malaise, to pay a fine of US$3,300 dollars for customs breaches.

Malaise had pleaded guilty to illegally dropping anchor at Paradise Cove which is an unauthorized port of entry in Vanuatu waters.

On this offence he was fined just over US$1,000 dollars but there was an additional fine for failing to report the yacht’s arrival to the director of customs.

The trial of two caretaker cabinet ministers, Alfred Carlot and Marcelino Pepite, who have pleaded not guilty to illegally boarding the vessel, is expected in April next year.

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