A 40-year-old man from Tu'atakilangi, one of three that were arrested and charged in suspected drug related offences has been detained in custody

Tonga Police said today that he is alleged to have been the person who owned a rifle, ammunition and an illicit drug suspected to be methamphetamine that were seized on Saturday from a vehicle.

The two other accused, a 30-year-old man from Folaha and a 36-year-old from Fo'ui, have been released on bail pending their court appearance on Monday, November 14 at the Magistrate's Court in Fasi.

The three men were arrested after police intercepted their rental car in Havelu after an initial report that a gunshot was fired from the car on Saturday morning, November 5.

Police confiscated one .22 rifle, 31 x .22 live ammunition rounds, five ammunition shells and 24.41 grams of illicit drugs suspected to be methamphetamine that were found in the car.

The men have all been similarly charged with possession of an illegal firearm and illicit drugs, and their names will be known when they appear at the lower court.

The investigation continues, said a police spokesperson today.