A 32-year-old man is charged with murder in relation to the death of a 27-year-old man from Pea who died from stab wounds last night February 4.

The victim's body was found with stab wounds near a road at Fatai on Tongatapu.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said today they were advised by Vaiola Hospital at around 10:00pm they had received a man with stab wounds at the emergency room.

"He was dead on arrival and we acted on the information received without delay," he said.

The accused from Te’ekiu was arrested at around 3:00am this morning.

“Information received by Police so far indicates that the accused and the deceased, who was from Pea, were drinking alcohol at a place in Te'ekiu.  The body was found near the road at Fatai and was taken to the hospital.”

The accused is detained in custody at the Nukunuku Police Station to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, February 8.