methamphetamine

Police in French Polynesia have seized almost $US50 million worth of methamphetamine on a cruise ship from the United States.

A  27-year-old Tahitian passenger has been arrested after the discovery of 21 kilograms of the drug in his luggage.

The authorities say the man had wanted to offload a suitcase when the ship, the MS Zuiderdam was in port in Uturoa on Raiatea.

More than four kilograms of the drug was found in the suitcase.

A subsequent search of his cabin turned up a further 15 kilograms of methamphetamine in other luggage.

The arrests between 19 and 30 of April 2021 are part of an ongoing operation targeting drug dealers and suppliers.

The arrests were made at six different locations in Tongatapu.

Police also seized 8.80 grams of methamphetamine, 199.11 grams of cannabis and drug utensils.

The seven accused between the aged of 26 to 40 will appear at the Magistrate Court at a later date.

Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said that Police are committed to disrupt and detect the supply of drugs and hold those responsible to account.

According to Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea, a 34-year-old man and a 29-year old man from Nukunuku were apprehended on Tuesday 27 April 2021 with 6.84 grams of methamphetamine, 0.88 grams of cannabis and drug utensils.

Both accused have been charged with possession of illicit drugs and are remanded in police custody to appear in Court at a later date.

“We encourage anyone who may have information about drug related offending to contact 7704660,” Vailea said.

Photo supplied Tonga Police 

According to police statistics, among those arrested recently for drug use, the youngest is a 13-year-old, while the oldest is aged 67.

Police say 263 people arrested in the past few months are awaiting trial, confirming a problem that has been steadily spreading through grassroots communities.

One community leader from the Kolomotu'a township of Nuku'alofa said he knew of several teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 who are drug users in his neighborhood.

Tiuke Mahoni of Ma'ufanga had been charged with possession of methamphetamine and cannabis, as well as attempting to distribute them.

But according to a plea from prosecutors, which was also endorsed by outgoing Attorney General 'Aminiasi Kefu, the 55-year-old is too ill to stand trial.

Justice Charles Cato dismissed the case and Mr Mahoni has returned to the United States to continue treatment.

Meanwhile, two high ranking Customs officials have been arrested on drugs charges and are awaiting trial.

The women, who were on a shopping trip in Charleston, South Carolina, returned home to Statesboro, Georgia, and gave the Lego to a young child. 

They realised something was seriously wrong when the child opened the box and found a package of meth instead of Lego.

The quantity of methamphetamine had an estimated street value of US$40,000 (NZ$60,790). Although the women were unaware of the concealment, they had unwittingly committed a felony by transporting the disguised drug.

The Police Drug Taskforce executed three different search warrants which resulted in seizure of illicit drugs, illegal firearms and ammunition as well as cash.

On Monday, 14 May 2018 Police arrested a 34-year-old man from Lapaha with two packets of cannabis.

A search of his residence on Wednesday 16 May led Police to seizing a pistol gun, a shotgun, a rifle and 123 live ammunition.

Police arrested a 34-year-old-man from Hoi in Nuku’alofa with 0.47grams of methamphetamine on Wednesday 16 at around 10:00am

Aroha Nuku failed a routine drug test last September, after playing for the Cyclones in their Round four match of the Farah Palmer Cup.

The test found traces of methamphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

According to Drug Free Sport NZ, on the night she was tested Ms Nuku declared the use of supplements and hay fever tablets.

However, she later admitted to also taking what she thought was ritalin in powder form during a drive between Palmerston North and Hawera earlier in the week.

The methamphetamine was allegedly concealed in a shipment from the United States of America.

Police intercepted and arrested a 39-year-old man, who was allegedly in possession of 297 grams of methamphetamine on Tuesday.

Police also arrested on the same day a 31-year-old man connected to this case.

He was arrested with 30.4grams of cannabis allegedly on his person, packed for sale.