By Linny Folau

Eight vehicles procured by the Tongan Government were handed over to Tonga Police and other enforcement agencies in their work to fight against the problem of illicit drugs, on October 27.

Prime Minister Hon. Rev Dr Pohiva Tu'i'onetoa said that after the National Symposium on Illicit Drugs on October 6-7, Government worked towards fulfilling the needs identified and assist in a way forward in Tonga's fight against illicit drugs.

These vehicles are part of that and were handed it over to the Police Drugs Enforcement Taskforce and partners including Customs, Fire and Emergency Services, Health and Prisons, he said.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner, Ashley Fua, said Cabinet adopted the National Illicit Drugs Policy (NIDP). An Action Plan Committee on Illicit Drugs was appointed to implement a national action plan.

He said the vehicles were procured by Government under its $5 million pa'anga commitment to finance the works, under this action plan in our fight against illicit drugs.

The vehicles will be used in Tongatapu and dispatched to some of these agencies' offices in the outer islands.

In attendance were the Minister of Police Lord Nuku, Attorney General Linda Folaumoetu’i, Acting Police Commissioner Lord Fielakepa, among others.