Arrests follow seizure of 4kg of illicit drugs [1]
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 - 20:52. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
FOUR kilograms of illicit drugs were seized by police in a dwelling house and a vehicle in Tongatapu last week.
Police Commander Chris Kelley said this morning, February 8, that the seizure was during a special operation, targeting local illicit drugs distribution networks. The seizure had yet to be fully analysed but preliminary tests indicated the presence of illicit drugs.
He said that on February 1 the police had completed a successful investigation into the sale, supply and distribution of illicit drugs on Tongatapu and a 55-year-old Tongan man and a 20-year-old Tongan woman were arrested and charged with the possession.
"Further arrests will follow," the police commander said, adding that there is a real concern that methamphetamine and cocaine are available.
"This operation is part of our continuing fight against the sale, supply and distribution of illicit drugs such a cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine in Tonga," he said. "Police are monitoring points of entry into Tonga along with Customs and Immigration in an effort to curb the efforts of drug syndicates using Tonga as a trans-shipment location."
The Commander appealed for information from the community in relation to suspicious activity or evidence of possible drug dealings.
In June last year a 42-year-old Customs Officer, Tevita Pati Kata, was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the importation and possession of 17.6 kilos of methamphetamine worth NZD$17-18 million, during the largest drug bust of this kind in Tonga, in September last year.