By Katalina Siasau
Weak border security makes Tonga vulnerable to the import of ilicit drugs, Acting Police Commissioner, Cmdr Filipe Fifita, told a consultation session on Security and Illicit Drugs, at the National Development Summit in Nuku'alofa this week.
In the efforts to reduce imports of illicit drugs, “it is clear that Tonga is vulnerable because our border security is extremely weak,” he said on 19 March at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre.
There were a total of 154 drug operations in 2023, 178 in 2024, and 21 operations so far this year.
These operations resulted in arrests of 291 people in 2023, 335 in 2024, and 36 this year.
He was concerned about the increasing number of drug operations by the Police Taskforce.
He suggested forming a task force with relevant partners, including the army, to cut off illicit drug imports and distribution pipelines, and strengthen borders.
More police stations needed
“We need to make a change!” he urged.
To combat increasing drug crimes in Tonga he said, “More police stations will lead to easier, more efficient, and faster police work.”
On Vava'u, they needed a new police station in Leimatu’a, closer to the airport.
Vava’u being a major port for yachts needs a drug-sniffing dog unit, he said.
On Ha'apai, he said, “Increased monitoring is necessary in Ha’apai due to its scattered smaller islands.”
Cmdr Fifita presented key findings that showed in 2022-2023, the number of drug offences dropped because of the COVID-19 lockdowns, which limited movement and made drugs distribution and import more difficult. But now drug related crimes are increasing.
On the home front, Tonga Police plans to implement drug testing for police officers while he suggested that “civil servants should be drug tested.”
Prison drugs use
Commissioner of Prisons, Semisi Tapueluelu, noted the increasing number of drug offences and how drug use had become more common at Tonga's prisons.
He was particularly concerned about the lack of manpower at Hu'atolitoli prison, as drug offenders increase. “One corrections officer is accounting for ten or more prisoners.”
