More than 200kgs of cocaine worth an estimated street value of AUD$116 million, seized by Tongan authorities on the wreck of the 'JeReVe' yacht that ran aground on Luatafito Atoll in Vava'u, has been sent to Australia for destruction. 

Police Commissioner Grant O'Fee said today that the drugs haul was flown to Australia yesterday, Thursday November 23 accompanied by officers of the Australian Federal Police.

He said Tonga lacked proper facilities to destroy the drugs safely. 

"We looked at different possibilities on how it would be disposed whether it be burning, but we would not set fire to 200kgs of cocaine because it would be toxic to the people and the environment," he said.

Commissioner O'Fee said Australia has the proper facility equipped for the destruction of drugs. "I don't know where in Australia it was being flown to, but I am glad it is out of Tonga," he said.

In regards to the remains of the unidentified European man, now held in Neiafu, Vava'u, police are still waiting on more information from the autopsy.

He said they wre also waiting on information from United States authorities on what they knew about the deceased.

On November 7, divers in the Southern part of the Vava'u Group spotted the yacht and found the remains on board.