Results for Illicit Drugs

A prisoner at Hu'atolitoli Prison was charged with possession of cannabis last week, and another charged with cultivation, while in a separate incident, a man from Matangiake was arrested after Tonga Customs seized a hand gun and ammunition that was imported to Tonga.

‘Okusitino Penisimani Tatafu (49) is the man who was arrested in Neiafu, when Police seized 254.72 grams of cocaine on November 14. He remains in police custody, until January 2022.

A 49-year-old man was arrested in Neiafu, Vava'u, as Tonga Police seized 254.72 grams of cocaine. Another man was arrested with a .22 long rifle and ammunition in Longomapu.

‘Ioane Tavo (63) received a suspended sentence for possession of 0.04 gram of methamphetamine, after his vehicle was searched by Tonga Police at Hala'ovave.

Eight vehicles procured by the Tongan Government were handed over to Tonga Police and other enforcement agencies in their work to fight against the problem of illicit drugs, on October 27.

Siueli Angilau (42) received a suspended sentence today for possession of 0.55 grams of methamphetamine and cannabis weighing 267.83 grams, at Fanga. Police received information that drugs were being sold from there.

‘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.

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.

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.