Thirty four cannabis plants were uprooted and seized during a Tonga Police Operation in 'Ohonua, ‘Eua, on Friday November 18, in addition to 458 cannabis plants that were initially seized last week.

The second cannabis bust saw 34 cannabis plants, 24 harvested cannabis plants, two sacks of cannabis leaves, one bottle of coffee full of cannabis seeds and one packet of cannabis dry leaves seized by the Tactical Response Group and Drug Squad Team, deployed to assist ‘Eua Police Staff last week.

This second seizure was from a different area from an earlier seizure on November 15-16, when 458 cannabis plants were uprooted and confiscated from a bush allotment with an estimated street value of $200,000 pa'anga.

Chief Superintendent Tevita Fifita said the disruption of the drug supply continued to be a priority for Tonga Police. Police will act with urgency to identify those involved in serious drug dealing and hold them to account," he said.

Two men were arrested and charged in relation to the first seizure of cannabis together with an unlicensed .22 rifle, during two police search warrants.