TWO people are currently being kept in police custody after being arrested by Tonga Police and charged with trafficking persons into Tonga, particularly young women for sexual exploitation.

Police Commander Chris Kelley confirmed that police prevented a man and woman from fleeing Tonga on Tuesday, May 11.

Police took action on Monday, May 10 and conducted searches at two premises in Nuku'alofa and arrested the two persons before they leave.

The two accused were set to appear at the Magistrate's Court in Nuku'alofa next week on Monday, May 17.

Commander Kelley said the trafficking persons charge related to the recruitment, transportation from another country and harbouring of young women in Nuku'alofa.

He did not comment further on details of the case as it is now with the court.

But he stressed that the offence of trafficking in persons carries a heavy penalty of up to 25 years imprisonment under the Transnational Crimes Act 2005 in Tonga.

"These types of offences are at the very heart of transnational crimes and therefore Tonga and the Police have an international commitment to eliminating people trafficking and prosecuting those involved in the exploitation of women as alleged in this case," he added.