Nine Bougainvillean men are in police custody in Solomon Islands after being charged with entering and living in the Solomons illegally.
Additional charges of gun possession were dropped during an initial court appearance on Thursday.
The men had entered Solomon Islands more than two months ago to work as security guards for a logging company in the Shortland Islands.
The Solomons Star says the PNG Government and the office of the Bougainville President have been notified.
