The GOC will be pressing charges against shops that sell illegally printed merchandise of the Pacific Games ©Getty Images

The Solomon 2023 Pacific Games Organising Committee collaborated with local police to confiscate illegally printed fake shirts of the biggest event hosted by the country later this year.

The t-shirts were being sold in two Chinese shops named Bisi and New fashion in Honiara, the capital of the nation that will be holding the Pacific Games.

They featured the official mascot of the Games "Solo", as a total of 50 of them were found and taken away due to violation of the Pacific Games Act.

The Act is in part four of the Intellectual Property and Media Rights to the National Hosting Authority and the GOC, which does not allow the use of the logo, brand, distinctive marks, signs, marks, mascot regalia, merchandising, naming, marketing and media rights.

The Solomon Islands will be collaborating with China to police the Pacific Games ©Getty Images
The Solomon Islands will be collaborating with China to police the Pacific Games ©Getty Images

The maximum penalty of this breach of rules will be SBD150,000 (£14,400/$17,900/€16,300).

The public have had mixed reactions about the situation, as they believe the GOC should start promoting the Pacific Games using merchandise.

Solomon Islands is dealing with other issues as well, particularly phone theft, as they will be working with the Chinese Police during the event to stabilise the situation for the number of tourists expected to visit.

The 2023 Pacific Games will be taking place from November 19 to December 2, with 24 nations competing in 24 sports.