A prison officer at Hu’atolitolu prison has been arrested while more officers are under investigation following seizure of illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia.
A utensil and a packet of illicit drugs had been found in a vehicle in Hu’atolitoli Prison that allegedly belongs to or was used by a Recruit Prison Officer, a statement said this morning.
The arrest came after a recent public debate in Parliament rejected a suggestion that the death penalty be used to deter drug offenders.
Tonga has been combatting a growing drug problem for the past several years, leading to the Speaker of Parliament, Lord Fakafanua, calling for a debate on the topic, ‘Capital punishment is the best deterrent for illicit drugs offences.’
The statement said the suspect was called to the prison before he was searched, and packets of illicit drugs were found in the vehicle.
The officer was previously arrested and detained by HM Prisons before he was handed over to Tonga Police for further criminal investigation.
“We are currently investigating Other officers who are involved in illicit drug offences”, it said.
The prison authorities have appealed to the public for any information about prison officers involved in the unlawful possession, manufacture, cultivation, use, and/or supply of illicit drugs.
