Chinese nationals arrested

Tonga police arrest 26 Chinese nationals for gambling

Officers seized cash of more than $89,000 thousand pa’anga and other foreign currencies in an ongoing police operation.

The 26 suspects include 17 men and 9 women between the ages of 23-year-old to 65-year-old.

Police said the arrests were made at a building at Tofoa that belongs to a 48-year-old Chinese national, where the games of mere chance was held.

Police also seized five pistol airguns and illegal cigarettes.

All suspects are in police custody while an investigation continues.