Tonga customs officer in court over drug smuggling

A Tonga customs officer has appeared in court following the seizure of a large quantity of drugs last month.

Matangi Tonga reports 59-year-old Paula Naitoko is facing nine charges for engaging with others to import illicit drugs, and for aiding and abetting the importation of illegal firearms and ammunition.

Tonga Police reported its Drug Enforcement Taskforce seized drugs with a street value of more than $US2.5 million dollars.

The haul included methamphetamine, cannabis and cannabis oil, allegedly smuggled into Tonga from the United States.