A total of 15 people have been arrested to date and charged in relation to the 14 plus kilograms of cocaine seized in Vava’u.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Halatoa Taufa said today that three arrests were made last week.

Two men, aged 25 and 44 years, were arrested in Tu’anuku, Vava’u; and a 50-year-old man was arrested in Tatakamotonga, Tongatapu. They remained in police custody charged with engaging with others in the supply of illicit drugs, he said.

Previously, 12 people were arrested and charged in relation to the cocaine seized, which is estimated to have a street value of over $5 million pa’anga.

Of the 15 arrested, 12 are in Vava’u and three in Tongatapu. Some have been charged with possession and engaging with others in the supply of illicit drugs. Others have been charged for intentionally lying to Police.

In July, the first cocaine packets that washed up on Vava’u beaches, were handed over to Tonga Police, prompting a big search operation with more of the illicit drug seized.

The Police investigation continues.