Tonga

The suspect is said to be a cleaner at the airport.

Last week, police detained a 59 year old man at the airport after he allegedly tried to smuggle the illicit drugs into New Zealand.

The suspect was arrested inside the departure transit area.

Cash in different currencies worth about TOP$10,000 were also found in the man’s possession.

The drug seizure is the largest in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The suspects are being held in custody to appear in court at a later date.

Photo Loop Tonga

The ministry's chief executive Balwyn Fa'otusia said 5,499 properties received minor damage, 1,028 were majorly damaged and 469 houses were completely destroyed.

She said the government was providing material and labour for repairs, while about 250 damaged properties are still yet to be fixed.

Matangi Tonga reported the six month emergency period when people can import duty free construction materials, runs for another three months.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Education said 29 school buildings in Tonga will have to be rebuilt.

“We too are susceptible to these attacks, whether it is a direct target or as mere collateral damage. According to worldstats.com the internet penetration for our region is 70%. This means that some 28 million of our people are directly vulnerable to online threats.”

Speaking at the opening of a regional cyber security workshop in Nuku’alofa today, Pohiva said this is not the only way cyber threats impacts out lives.

Lady Luseane Luani heads MAT, which was created during last week's Pacific Islands News Association meeting in Tonga.

Earlier in the month Tonga had dropped two places in a set of global media freedom rankings and a prominent local commentator declared that the situation in the country was the worst he had seen in 30 years.

Lady Luseane said local journalists needed a very strong network to back them up.

The Tongans set the tone through the early exchanges with some bully ball, sending countless ball carriers up the middle and causing the Force some defensive headaches.

It worked, too, as the home side gifted James Faiva two shots at goal.

He missed the first but duly slotted the second, drawing first blood for a hodgepodge Tongan outfit.

The Force responded with interest, crossing through Rod Davies, Andrew Deegan and Marcel Brache, the last try a particularly soft effort from the Tongans.

The victim is said to be a 46 year old who was found dead and trapped in a shipping container.

Kaniva News reports the victim is a member of a popular band of the early 1990’s.

Ports Authority Tonga confirmed in a statement that the victim is an employee of Dateline Transam Shipping Ltd.

The company said it offered its condolences to the victim’s family.

Photo source Kaniva News file. Caption: Queen Salote Wharf

The suspect was arrested Tuesday by the Police Drug Taskforce with the assistance of Customs and Tonga Airport Limited.

The drugs were in the suspect’s possession when police arrested him from inside the departure transit area.

Cash in different currencies with approximate value of TOP$10,000 was also seized.

Police said it is clear that the suspect intended to smuggle the drugs out from Tonga to New Zealand.

Police executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Malapo and seized 85 packs of cannabis, 4 packs of cannabis seeds, 1 bowl with cannabis leaves and 2 cannabis pot plants.

The Drug Taskforce earlier on Monday arrested a 27-year-old man from the CBD area with 1 pack of cannabis.

Acting Chief Superintendent Tevita Vailea said, “As demonstrated by this arrest by the Drug Taskforce, we are focused on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.

Speaking at the opening of the 5th Pacific Media Summit in Nuku’alofa Tuesday, Pohiva said political opponents were behind the move which was supported by some members of the media.

“I have no problem with that,” Pohiva said.

“It is all part and parcel of democracy in the kingdom.”

Despite a report of Tonga’s international press freedom ranking with Reporters Without Borders dropping by two places, Pohiva maintains the government is committed to the freedom of the media even in a digitised world.

At the same Tonga is committed to cooperation with other integrity agencies across the Pacific.

Speaking to journalists at the opening of a regional workshop on reporting on anti-corruption, Mr Fa'otusia said the media in the Pacific have played a key role in providing a space for citizens to understand the important role of committed to integrity agencies such as the Ombudsman and Auditor General.