Tongan officials burning a large haul of cannabis seized by Tonga Police last week in 'Eua, used tyres as a base for the bonfire at Tapuhia Solid Waste in Vaini, Tongatapu today, Tuesday November 22.

The cannabis was the largest amount of cannabis seized by Tonga Police in a single operation.

The cannabis plants were burnt on top of tyres witnessed by independent representatives from the Office of the Auditor General, Ministry of Health, Kolofo'ou District Officer, Kolomotu'a Town Officer and Tonga Police.

Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell said the cannabis was removed from a shipping container and transported in two Police vehicles to Tapuhia, where it was destroyed.

On Thursday November 17, officers from the Police Tactical Response Group and Drug Squad teams uprooted and seized 458 illegal cannabis plants during a search warrant in 'Eua. 

The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $200,000 pa’anga

He said the large-scale police operation continued on Friday November 18, when officers seized a further 58 cannabis plants (34 growing, 24 already uprooted), two sacks filled with cannabis leaf, a bottle filled with cannabis seeds and a packet of dry cannabis leaf.

Two men have been charged in relation to this record seizures and are before the courts on drugs and firearms-related charges.

"The social harm caused by drugs to the community is immense. Drugs don't just harm the users but their families and their communities. It's the money that was spent on drugs that was supposed to buy food and clothes for a man's family," said Commissioner Caldwell.

"The destruction of these drugs should send a clear message to anyone involved in the cultivation, supply and distribution of illegal drugs. You will be caught, we are committed to disrupting illegal drug activity in Tonga as there is no place for this in our country."

Previous cannabis seized by police have been less than 400 plants, and were not fully grown.

He said anyone who is concerned or suspicious about illegal drug activity in their town to report it to the Police Drug Squad on 26497 or 23083. Information can also be given anonymously to the Police Intelligence Unit on 23197.

Burning tyres

Meanwhile, there was no explanation from government officials supervising the cannabis burn, as to why tyres were used as fuel. Burning of rubber tyres is banned in many countries, including Tonga.

Tonga's new Environment Management (Litter and Waste Control) Regulations introduced in 2016 bring in restrictions on burning litter and waste. Rubber is listed as "Noxious Waste" and it is an offence to burn it, attracting large fines. Tyres may also come under the "hazardous waste" interpretation, under which offenders may be liable for imprisonment.

It is well-known that burning tyres is an environmental and health hazard. Burning tyres release significant quantities of hazardous air pollutants into the air and children are especially at risk. The toxic chemicals released are suspected to cause cancer. Burning tyres also produces large quantities of toxic oil which can contaminate soil and water.