Police arrest 17 in drug busts over Easter [1]
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 20:22
A major drugs operation in Tongatapu resulted in the arrest of 16 men and 1 woman over the Easter holiday weekend, Deputy Police Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai stated today.
The biggest arrest occurred on Friday night April 19 when the Drug Taskforce arrested 10 men at a residence in Hofoa, seizing 30 packs of methamphetamine (24.07 grams), 9 packs of cannabis (2.88 grams), drugs paraphernalia, 4 live .22 bullets and cash.
Nine of the men have been charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs while the tenth man is charged for unlawful possession of ammunition.
The men arrested include: a man (44) from Hofoa, a man (39) from Tu’atakilangi, a man (17) from Kolonga, a man (41) from Vaini, a man (45) from Ha’alalo, a man from (39) Popua, a man (45) from Longolongo, a man (48) from Havelu, a man (29) from Hauloto, and a man (19) from ‘Utulau.
Following the arrest, frontline Police arrested a 26-year-old woman and 20-year-old man on Salote Road at Ma’ufanga at 5:00 am on April 20. The woman was from Touliki and the man was from Houmakelikao.
At around 6:00am the Drugs Taskforce arrested five men from a residence in Havelu, where they seized 15 packs of methamphetamine (5.65 grams) and two bottles of homebrew, drugs paraphernalia and cash. The five men arrested include three men from Havelu aged 27, 38 and 43, a 22-year-old from Tofoa and a 29-year-old from Houma.
Deputy Police Commissioner Vaisuai emphasized the dangers of Methamphetamine. “Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug and very harmful not only to those who use it, but it negatively impacts on families and the wider community.”