Two men, including a crew man of a local ferry, have been charged with possession of an illicit drug, cannabis in more than 90 small packs.

The Acting Assistant Police Commissioner, Tevita Fifita, said today the men were arrested at the arrival in Nuku'alofa of the ‘Onemato ferry from ‘Eua on Thursday, 2 April.

The police had received information about the cannabis and carried out the search on the ferry.

“The crewman, aged 30, from ‘Eua was found in possession of two small packs of cannabis in his wallet. The other accused a 41-year-old passenger from Afa had 97 of the same small packs of cannabis in his bag,” he said.

Both accused are in custody and were expected to appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court today.

Fifita said the small plastic packs of cannabis were usually sold by dealers for $10 pa’anga each.