Eight people have been arrested and charged in the seizure of cannabis and methamphetamine at different locations in Tongatapu, during Tonga Police holiday operation, which began on December 21.

The Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce made the drug busts from December 21-28, in its ongoing operation targeting drug dealers and suppliers.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said that on December 21 a 45-year-old man was arrested at Tatakamotonga with 62.05 grams of cannabis and $368 pa’anga.

On the same day, two men aged 25 and 28 years were arrested at Fo’ui with cannabis plants weighing 65.94 grams and cannabis seeds at 5.62 grams.

The drug busts continued on Christmas Day, where the Drug Taskforce arrested a 56-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, in a vehicle at Afa. Seized were 89.95 grams of cannabis, methamphetamine weighing at 25.31 grams and $293 pa’anga.

On December 28 three men were arrested at Fou’i, where 22.2 grams of cannabis was seized.

The Taskforce then searched the home of one of the accused at Te’ekiu and found more cannabis weighing 62.73 grams, 645 x .22 ammunitions, $121 pa’anga and drugs paraphernalia.

All of the eight have been charged with possession of illicit drugs pending court appearance early next year.

The A/Deputy Commissioner reiterated Tonga Police's commitment to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs and hold those responsible to account, in order to keep our communities safe.

“In this month alone, there have been 24 drug arrests, including these eight. For 2020 so far, police have made a total of 276 drug arrests,” he said.

There were 274 drug arrests in 2019.

Meanwhile, the police holiday operation, which ends on January 4 next year has 278 Tonga police officers working around the clock to ensure people's safety and public order.