Attribute statement to Detective Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Taufa, National Crime and Investigations, Tonga Police

3 May 2022

The Police Drugs Enforcement Taskforce continues to make arrests over the past couple of weeks of individuals who chose to disregard the law by involving in illicit drugs offending.

After a police drug raid of a residence at Hala’ovave on Thursday 28 April, three male persons, aged 36 from Vaini, aged 20 from Te’ekiu with a teen aged 17 from Halaleva were arrested together with 12 packs of methamphetamine (2.12g), 5 packs of cannabis (1.52g), cash over $300 pa’anga, and drug utensils.

All three accused persons appeared before Magistrate Salesi Mafi in court on Thursday 28 April and are being remanded until 9 May.

Prior to that on Friday 22 April, Police at Vava’u arrested a 27-year-old male from Ha’alaufuli for possession of cocaine. 2 packs of the white illicit substance, weighing 28.69g, were found inside a light bulb wrapped in a white cloth at the suspect’s residence.

Also on Wednesday 20 April, Police arrested a 47-year-old male from his residence at Vaini with 3 packs of methamphetamine, cash over $2,500 pa’anga, and drug utensils. To deny Police the evidence of the illicit drugs, the suspect chewed the 3 packs of methamphetamine and spat into a half empty Sprite bottle before Police could seize them.

Detective Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Taufa wishes to remind the public, “Anyone who destroys, or even attempts or helps to destroy illicit drugs or anything capable of being used as evidence in drug related cases is liable by law upon conviction to imprisonment for up to 15 years.”

Anyone with information on drug related activities to contact the Police on 740-1660 or 922.

END

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