Tonga Police have arrested and charged 17 people in relation to seizure of more than 6 kilograms of methamphetamine, vehicles and assets linked to Comanchero motorcycle gang imported into the kingdom from the United States.
Two of those arrested are suspected to be members of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang.
The confiscated assets associated with the Comanchero included jackets, drug paraphernalia, T-shirts, hoodies, jacket vests, and 13 patches.
The police also seized TOP$12,058 in cash, firearms, ammunitions and eight vehicles.
The raids also led to the arrests of a Customs Officer and a HM Prisons Officer, who have now been charged with offences in relation to the import, a police statement said.
As Kaniva News reported last week a prison officer had been arrested and more officers had been investigated after illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia were seized from a vehicle at the prison compound. We also reported that a Customs Officer was also arrested last week after a container allegedly containing illicit drugs was released to the public.
Police investigations are still ongoing, but evidence obtained so far suggested that the importation of methamphetamine was organised from within prison by a prisoner who is currently serving a sentence at Hu’atolitoli Prison, the Police said in a statement.
Comanchero Motorcycle gang
The news comes amid reports by local media that Tonga police had been investigating two suspects of the Comanchero motorcycle gang who had been deported from Australia to Tonga, apparently trying to increase the presence of the gang in the kingdom.
Police said this afternoon Monday 19 they had seized methamphetamine weighing 3.5kg imported into Tonga in a crate from the United States, eight vehicles, one Harley-Davidson motorcycle, TOP$12,058 in cash, four cash counting machines, 16 mobile phones and other devices, four Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang jackets and drug paraphernalia.
All suspects have been charged, including charges in relation to the importation of methamphetamine and the possession of illicit drugs and drug utensils. Two of the persons arrested are alleged to be members of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. Another two of the persons arrested have been specifically charged in relation to a previous seizure by the Drugs Squad, of over 5 kilograms of methamphetamine in April 2024.
Over the past week, Tonga Police have uncovered illicit drug operations involving the importation, intended sale and distribution of methamphetamine in the Kingdom, and the laundering of the proceeds by persons and businesses to facilitate the ongoing purchase and import of methamphetamine.
The discovery resulted from controlled operations, led by the Tonga Police Drugs Squad (“Drugs Squad”) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Revenue & Customs.
On 9 August 2024, Tonga Police conducted raids at multiple locations in Tongatapu which led to the seizure of 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine imported into the Kingdom in a crate from the United States.
On 13 – 14 August 2024, the Drugs Squad and other Police units again conducted raids at multiple locations in Tongatapu which resulted in the arrest of four (4) females and nine (9) males between the age of twenty-two (22) to forty-eight (48), for illicit drugs offences.
All suspects have been charged, including charges in relation to the importation of methamphetamine and the possession of illicit drugs and drug utensils.
Two of those arrested have been specifically charged in relation to a previous seizure by the Drugs Squad, of over 5kg of methamphetamine in April 2024.
Ma’ufanga storage
On 15 August 2024, Police seized a large amount of clothing from a storage unit at Ma’ufanga, linked to one of the suspects arrested on 13 August 2024; the clothing consisted of 90 Comanchero T-shirts, hoodies and jacket vests, plus 13 Comanchero Patches.
On 16 August 2024, Police arrested a prominent businessman and searched his offices at ‘Umusi. He has been arrested for money laundering, in relation to his role in facilitating payments of the proceeds from the import and supply of illicit drugs from the Kingdom to drug importers in the United States.
On 17 August 2024, the Drugs Squad and the Tonga Police Tactical Response Group raided a residence at Hofoa and arrested a male who had just returned to the Kingdom from the United States. He was arrested for the importation into the Kingdom of the methamphetamine on 13 August 2024.
All suspects and seized items are currently in police custody.
“Tonga Police is sending a clear message to organized crime syndicates involved in the illegal importation Of drugs and laundering Of the proceeds, and OMCGs (Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs): we will not tolerate any illegal activities, and we will do everything in our power to identify, disrupt and bring to justice those involved in drug trafficking and money laundering, and to seize and confiscate the proceeds and assets purchased with the proceeds of crime”, the statement said.
“We need to strongly remind the public that the illegal import and export of illicit drugs (Class A) can result in life imprisonment.
“Tonga Police would also like to warn the public about the increased presence and illegal activities of the Comanchero OMCG (Outlaw Motorcycle Gang) in our community. There is no place in the Kingdom of Tonga for gangs and those who wish to associate with them and their illegal activities.
“Tonga Police is committed to working with Customs and other stakeholders in Tonga and with our international partners to ensure that Tonga is not a haven for criminals and gangs.
We encourage anyone with information about illicit drug activities and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (particularly the Comanchero OMCG) to contact Tonga Police at phone numbers 740-1657, 740-1660, or 922 to assist us in ensuring the safety of our families and communities”.
