Illegal firearms and 20,000 live bullets from U.S. seized [1]
Friday, July 26, 2019 - 17:22. Updated on Friday, July 26, 2019 - 17:35.
Ten illegal firearms and more than 20,000 live bullets were seized in Tongatapu and Vava'u, allegedly smuggled through four different shipments from the United States.
The Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce in a joint operation with Tonga Customs intercepted the illegal firearms and bullets in the first week of July.
Deputy Police Commissioner Pelenatita Fe'ao Vaisuai said today, three shipments were seized at the Customs Warehouse in Vava'u and one shipment was seized from one of the bonded warehouse in Tongatapu.
Police arrested three men in relation to these shipments, including a 43-year-old man from Kameli, Vava’u.
He has been charged with the importation of firearms and over 20,000 various ammunition without a licence. The firearms included rifles and shotguns.
Meanwhile, a 45-year- old man from Leimatu’a and a 74-year-old man from Neiafu have been charged with the importation of firearms and ammunition without licence, seized at Vava'u.
"Police are concerned with the significant amount of firearms and ammunition that have been smuggled into the country and the risks they pose to community safety." said Deputy Police Commissioner Vaisuai.
She urged the public to come forward with any information that might help with police investigations.