26th July, 2019 The Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce in a joint operation with Customs intercepted 10 illegal imported firearms and over 20,000 live bullets, smuggled into Tonga through four different shipments from America in the first week of July.
Three shipments were seized at the Custom Warehouse in Vava’u and one shipment was seized from one of the Bonded Warehouse in Tongatapu.
Police arrested 3 men in relation to these shipments.
The 3 arrested included a 43-year-old man from Kameli Vava’u who has been charged with the Importation of firearms and over 20,000 various ammunition without licence. A 45-yearold man from Leimatu’a and a 74-year-old man from Neiafu have been charged accordingly for importation of firearms and ammunition without licence.
“Police are concerned with the significant amount of firearms and ammunition that have been smuggled into the country and the risks they pose to community safety. We therefore urge members of the public to come forward with any information that will help with police investigations.”
Anyone who may have information about firearms related offending to please contact Police Emergency Number, 922.
ENDS
For Media Inquiries please contact: Tonga Police Media & Communication Officer, Tonga Police Headquarters, Longolongo; – Email: telesia.adams@police.gov.to phone (676) 23 323 EXT. 125