Criminal prosecutions in Tonga's Supreme Court since the beginning of 2018 have been increasingly drug-related cases. Out of a total of 930 criminal prosecutions, 529 were drug related, while 123 were arms and ammunition prosecutions.
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Results for Illicit Drugs
Tuesday 19 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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Friday 15 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Okusitino Langi (47) who has an extensive criminal history, was sentenced today to six-years three-months imprisonment for possession of substantial illicit drugs, including 43.85 grams of methamphetamine at Hala’ovave. The prosecution said the amount of methamphetamine seized was substantial,
the dealer bags and other drug-related utensils and cash found indicated a commercial enterprise.
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Friday 8 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A dramatic increase in drugs related arrests in Tonga along with large amounts of Class A drugs seized over the last three years, are shown in statistics presented by Tonga Police this week.
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Friday 8 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Problematic students in Tonga, including absentees, have increased alarmingly in 2021 compared to 2020, Deputy CEO Ministry of Education, Kalafitoni Latu said during his presentation at the Tonga National Symposium on Illicit Drugs on October 6. “The students that are absent from school are more likely to be vulnerable to the illicit drug problem.” Many come from broken homes and we need to pay attention to these figures, he said.
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Thursday 7 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Retired rugby league star, Manu Vatuvei (35) faces a lengthy prison sentence in New Zealand, after he pleaded guilty yesterday, to the importation of methamphetamine there.
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Wednesday 6 October 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI today in Tonga's first National Symposium on Illicit Drugs said the problem of illicit drugs is a national issue that requires an urgent integrated national response. Educating everyone on the effects of illicit drugs was a priority. "Our government must allocate and prioritize finances towards this important endeavour as a matter of urgency," the king said.
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Thursday 30 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Lafitani Mahe who is currently serving a prison term for housebreaking and theft received an additional time for possession of illicit drugs, after being sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court today. His co-accused received a suspended sentence.
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Monday 27 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nomani Kama Manulevu (45) from Nukuhetulu who is charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga to New Zealand has been released on bail in Nuku'alofa.
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Friday 24 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Rick Riechelmann (60) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment for possession of cannabis seized at his home in Fangaloto. The sentence was fully suspended after the judge considered the health issues the defendant faced. The defendant admitted he was smoking cannabis for pain relief and taking it palliatively.
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Tuesday 21 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
HM King Tupou VI will open a two-day National Symposium on Illicit Drugs on October 6, aimed to develop a way forward in Tonga's fight against illicit drugs.
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Tuesday 21 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Nomani Kama Manulevu (45) from Nukuhetulu is the man charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga. He is remanded in police custody, after appearing at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on September 20.
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Monday 20 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Isileli and Sofia Tu’ifua (both 27) were sentenced to six-months imprisonment each, after being convicted on joint counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis. Their sentences were fully suspended.
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Monday 20 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Samuela Fiefia (26) was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for possession of 1.19 grams methamphetamine and possession 4.27 grams of cannabis seized at his home in Ma'ufanga.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A 45-year-old man from Nukuhetulu, charged with the exportation of 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga, is to appear at the Magistrate's Court on Monday, September 20. The alleged methamphetamine was seized in New Zealand last month. The accused was arrested on September 9 in Tonga.
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Thursday 16 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kaufusi Moala (30) was sentenced today to six-months imprisonment for possession of 0.26 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions.
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Friday 10 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
‘Okusitino Maka Langi (46) was found guilty of possession of illicit drugs, including 43.85 grams of methamphetamine seized at his residence in Hala'ovave. He will be sentenced in October.
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Monday 6 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 24 people have been arrested and charged, to date, in relation to the estimated 14 kilograms of cocaine seized in Vava‘u. More cocaine was seized in the latest three arrests in Vava'u and Tongatapu.
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Friday 3 September 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Kepilini Pole’o was found guilty of possessing 0.13 grams of methamphetamine seized at a residence in Vaini, after Tonga Police raided a house, after receiving information that drugs were being sold from there. Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC found the accused guilty on the possession offence on September 1, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court
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Friday 27 August 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A total of 21 people have to date been arrested and charged in relation to the estimated 14 kilograms of cocaine seized in Vava’u, after two people were arrested at Ta'anea, Vava'u on August 23.
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Friday 27 August 2021
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A suspended Tonga Police officer ‘Isitolo Sakopo (30) and Kaniteli Guttenbeil (32) were each sentenced to one-year 10-months imprisonment for possession of methamphetamine.
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