More arrests have been made in relation to the cocaine haul in Vava'u last week. Matangi Tonga understands today the latest arrests included that of a foreign national in Tonga.
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Results for cocaine
Wednesday 4 August 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Wednesday 9 June 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Sefo Moala (52) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for nine counts of possession of illicit drugs, including 41.82 grams of cocaine and 139.3 grams of methamphetamine. “The defendant has been a long-term menace to society," said the judge.

Thursday 4 March 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Asaeli Teulilo (32) is serving eight months imprisonment for possessing 1.3 grams of cocaine and 0.1 gram of cannabis. The Lord Chief Justice warned that harsher penalties are expected on any offences committed after November 26, 2020, involving more than 0.25 grams of a Class A drug, because they are deemed as supply.

Wednesday 3 March 2021
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Suspended jail sentences were imposed on Kuliti Tongamoa for supplying cocaine to ‘Epeli Taione, who was found guilty of possession. Both maintained their innocence, which was disappointing particularly in Taione's case, said the Acting Supreme Court Judge, “as this sort of behaviour is a sure recipe for re-offending.”

Tuesday 15 December 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kuliti Tongamoa, aka “Creed”, who supplied cocaine to a former international rugby player 'Epeli Taione (41) at 'Umusi in January, was found guilty on two counts of supplying illicit drugs; while Taione was found guilty of possession of illicit drugs, in a verdict delivered in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on December 11. They will be sentenced on 19 February, 2021.

Tuesday 28 January 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The four men who were arrested with cocaine and cannabis at ‘Umusi on Saturday, January 25 remain in police custody. They will be named on their appearance in court on February 3.

Monday 27 January 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Four men have been arrested in relation to the seizure of cocaine and cannabis at ‘Umusi on Saturday, January 25.

Thursday 14 November 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis were seized in vehicles parked at Longolongo, Tongatapu, on November 12.

Friday 4 October 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven people, including a suspended police officer arrested in a methamphetamine and cocaine bust last month, are expected to appear on November 25, at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court.

Thursday 5 September 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Seven people, including a suspended police officer, have been arrested after 20.85 grams of methamphetamine, two grams of cocaine were seized by Police from Ngele’ia and ‘Anana in Tongatapu on September 3.

Monday 27 August 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The two Tongan men arrested and charged in relation to the seizure of 58 kilograms of cocaine worth around $30 million pa’anga in street value in Ha’apai have been released on bail in Nuku’alofa.

Tuesday 26 June 2018
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
58 kilograms of cocaine worth around $30 million pa’anga in street value was seized by Tonga Police in June on the outer island of Ha’apai.

Wednesday 2 August 2017
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French authorities from New Caledonia intercepted the yacht L'Alfina off Tongan waters on July 27, seizing what is said to be the largest-ever drugs haul in the South Pacific, according to French media reports today.

Tuesday 1 August 2017
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Both His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF) and Tonga Police confirmed today that they were not involved in a massive cocaine seizure by the French navy from a yacht "off Tongan waters" in recent days. French media reported today that over 1.4 tonnes of cocaine was seized from a sailing boat.

Sunday 5 February 2017
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The failure of hundreds of Form 5, 6 and 7 students in their 2016 end of the year examination was one of several controversial issues that the Tongan Parliament heard when it opened for its 2017 session last week on Monday, 30 January. The Popua Park earthworks and Pacific Games infrastructure delays were other hot issues.

Tuesday 22 January 2013
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The unclaimed remains of Milan Rindzak (35), found on the 'JeReVe' yacht together with over 200kgs of cocaine on Luatafito Atoll in November last year, will be buried in Vava'u soon. Two months after his death there has been no contact received from his next of kin.

Wednesday 5 December 2012
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's Police Commissioner Grant O'Fee today alleged that an individual identified as a Tonga Customs Officer used a credit card belonging to Milan Rindzak (35), whose remains were found on the drugs yacht 'JeReVe' that was discovered wrecked on the Luatafito Atoll in Vava'u, on November 7.

Tuesday 27 November 2012
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The unidentified European man whose remains were found on a yacht 'JeReVe' together with over 200kgs of cocaine has been identified as Milan Rindzak (35) of Slovakian nationality.

Friday 23 November 2012
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
More than 200kgs of cocaine worth an estimated street value of AUD$116 million, that was seized by Tongan authorities on the wreck of the 'JeReVe' yacht that ran aground on Luatafito Atoll in Vava'u, have been sent to Australia for destruction.
Monday 19 November 2012
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An autopsy report has confirmed no foul play or injuries were evident in relation to the death of an unidentified European man whose badly decomposed body was found on the JeReVe yacht that was stuck on a reef off Luatafito Atoll, in Vava'u, Tonga, with over 200kg of cocaine last week.
