Three foreign nationals have been arrested in a Vava’u drug busts carried out this week.
A 70-year-old British male and his 58-year-old American wife were arrested at Houmelei along with a 25-year-old American male.
Police have also seized almost 2kg of cocaine from a workshop at Neiafu owned and run by the 70-year-old and from the couple’s rented residence at Houmelei.
The arrest was part of the ongoing investigations into the washed-up cocaine in Vava’u.
“We want members of the public, locals and foreigners alike to take heed of the fact that possession or distribution of any drug is a serious offence,” said Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Tāufa.
“I take the opportunity to acknowledge members of the community who have been helpful to Police during this investigation.”
As Kaniva News reported previously, cocaine worth more than TOP$4 million has washed up on Hōleva and Ha’alaufuli beaches, with police scouring nearby shores for similar illicit packages.
In 2012, a yacht which washed up in Vava’u seas with a badly decomposed body on board was carrying more than 200kg of cocaine worth up to US$120 million.
