Customs officer arrested, after illegal firearms shipment seized [1]
Friday, September 22, 2023 - 19:23. Updated on Saturday, September 23, 2023 - 11:32.
A 56-year-old Customs officer was arrested by Tonga Police after Customs seized an illegal shipment of firearms, firearm accessories and ammunition from the USA, concealed in a personal consignment.
Police arrested the Customs officer in Ma’ufanga, Nuku'alofa, on 11 September.
The items included nine 22 calibre-rifles, three rifle scopes, nine magazines, two pump action shotguns, one Taurus pistol and approximately 4159 pieces of ammunition.
The shipment was targeted and put through the customs x-ray pallet scanner, which indicated the presence of the concealed goods that were not declared.
Further physical examination by Customs with the assistance of Tonga Police confirmed the presence of the firearms, firearm parts and accessories as well as ammunition.
The goods were subsequently detained and the importer was taken in for questioning by Police and later arrested.
The Ministry of Revenue and Customs reported that the investigation into this case was ongoing.