THE former Speaker of Parliament, Noble Tu‘ilakepa, has been arrested and remanded in custody while Police search for an alleged consignment of cocaine destined for Australia.
Seven search warrants were issued last Thursday on premises related to Tu‘ilakepa, including his residence in Tongatapu, Vava‘u, and the Parliament office in Nuku‘alofa.
Australia Federal Police led the crackdown on the drug ring, in cooperation with local authorities in Australia, Tonga, Peru, and Colombia.
Police Commander Christopher Kelley - detailed to Tonga from his native New Zealand - says the cooperation with AFP relating to the drug smuggling ring “has been going for some months.”
As a consequence of the searches, two firearms were seized from the Noble’s residence - an unlicensed .22 rifle, and a revolver (which is illegal for civilian possession). Several hundred rounds of ammunition was also found.
Magistrate Pita Soakimi directed that Tu‘ilakepa be kept under house arrest at one of the quarters at the Police Training Camp at Longolongo. Police monitor all communications with Tu’ilakepa, which are restricted to interactions between him and his family.
Tu‘ilakepa is suspected by Police of possessing, or knowing the whereabouts of up to 190 kilos of cocaine, intended for the Australian market.
A package of white powder was found in his residence, of which samples will be sent for verification in New Zealand.
One of the pieces of evidence linking Tu‘ilakepa and the South American drug runners is a letter written by him, on Parliamentary letterhead, to support the visa application of one South American person involved.
Tu‘ilakepa will be released from custody on Thursday.
There have been a number of arrests in Australia relating to the drug ring crackdown, including some Tongans.
Commander Kelley says that the information shared by AFP is solid, and that the case is before and under the direction of the courts.
It also means Tu‘ilakepa is presumed innocence until proven guilty.
Noble Tu‘ilakepa has recently been elected a Member of Parliament, as one of the Vava‘u Nobles Representative.
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