Drugs

The suspect, a 31-year-old male from Ha'asini, attempted to flee but was arrested after a brief pursuit.

RNZ Pacific reports a search at his residence at Ha'asini revealed a quantity of cannabis, a drug utensil containing methamphetamine, guns and test tubes.

Two other males were arrested and charged in connection with the same offences.

Photo file RNZ Pacific 

The youngest student is a 13-year-old.

This has been highlighted by the Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau.

The Bureau is hoping that parents will spend more time discussing issues regarding drugs with their children.

“We have a shared responsibility as parents, guardians, community leaders, religious denomination leaders, village elders to nurture our children.”

“It says this includes the monitoring of their activities, behavior and who they associate themselves with.”

The man was arrested on Tuesday, 10 January.

A statement said the Police intercepted the suspect on a public road between Holonga and Pelehake where they found in the suspect’s vehicle methamphetamine, cannabis and a loaded firearm.

A further search was carried out at the suspect’s residence at Tatakamotonga where more drugs, cash and drug utensils were found.

The Police seizures include 124.77 grams of methamphetamine, 68.92 grams of cannabis, TOP $10,310 cash, drug utensils, 22 rifle and ammunition plus other items.

The National Organised Crime Group Investigation named Operation Samson investigated a number of residential and commercial properties across Auckland linked to the New Zealand chapter of the Hells Angels.

A 30-year-old Hells Angel member was charged with money laundering and has appeared in the Auckland District Court.

Detective inspector Albie Alexander said this type of offending undermines the well-being of communities.

He said the investigation would continue to target those who accumulated assets and wealth through illegal means.

A total of 30.48 grams of methamphetamine, 72.74 grams of cannabis, 3.11 grams of cocaine, drugs utensils, and over $7,000 cash were seized during the arrests.

Detective Acting Deputy Commissioner, Halatoa Taufa, told Matangi Tonga online that two of the arrests included two male prisoners at Hu'atolitoli Prison found with 1.74 grams of meth and 3.11 grams of cocaine.

The other arrests were made in various locations around Tongatapu including Tofoa, 'Anana, Fanga, Veitongo, Tu'atakilangi, Folaha, Kolonga, Ha'akame, Nukunuku and Tatakamotonga.

Police say statistics show that in 2018, there were 101 drugs related arrests, in 2019 the number more than doubled to 274 arrests, and drug related arrests rose to 285 in 2020.

Matangi Tonga Online reports this year 185 have been arrested for drugs offences so far.

Drug Enforcement Taskforce Detective Halatoa Taufa said illicit drugs found now in Tonga are mainly cannabis, imported cannabis oil, methamphetamine and cocaine.

He said large seizures included four kilos of methamphetamine in 2018, and 39 kilos of meth in 2019.

The Warriors icon is charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply and importing the Class A drug.

He has denied the charges, which were laid in December 2019.

Just days before suppression was due to lapse, Vatuvei took to Instagram to tell his followers about the charges in a video.

Vatuvei has had a long fight to keep his identity a secret, but on Sunday revealed himself as the “sportsman” charged, 48 hours ahead of the deadline for him to take his fight to the Court of Appeal.

A USP student was convicted in the Suva Magistrates Court this week for possession of illicit drugs.

Kessler Anton from Papua New Guinea pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana, after police found the drug in his room on 1 August.

The court, however, will not register Anton's conviction because it said the student was unlikely to reoffend.

Instead, Anton was bound over for $US235 and told he would have to pay the sum if he reoffended.

USP Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia said the university had a zero-tolerance policy against drugs.

Nine men and three women, whose ages range between 20 and 41, are due to appear in court.

Tonga police say they've seized 20 grams of methamphetamine, 273 grams of cannabis and a range of drug utensils.

Acting commissioner Tevita Vailea described it as a significant seizure which had the potential to cause serious harm in the community.

The Drug Taskforce apprehended the suspects from a residence in Vaini with 37.44 grams of methamphetamine, 201.67 grams of cannabis and over TOP$3,000 pa’anga cash.

The suspects include five men between the ages of 28 to 45 and two women aged 18 and 20.

All of them are from Vaini and they have been remanded in custody while an investigation continues.

A/Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea says the arrests show that those who are seeking to profit from the harm these drugs cause can continue to expect to be targeted by Police.