Pacific narco states rising

Deportations to Pacific nations increasing regional risks & costs

Marbles and Fiji recruits… below

Political decisions in Australia and New Zealand are abetting the creation of a new narco state: the Kingdom of Tonga. Inept and thoughtless, deporting criminals has already destabilised South Pacific nations, as was seen in Tonga in 2006.

On August 19 Tongan Police issued a press statement announcing the arrest of 17 people over methamphetamine imports into the Kingdom (see below). The amounts, measured against other seizures in Fiji and New Zealand, seem modest at first glance. Seized has been 2.6 kilograms of methamphetamine imported in a crate from the United States. That’s enough for about 310,000 doses - three times the population of Tonga. Perhaps more significant was this part of the statement:

‘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 these types of gangs and their illegal activities. Tonga Police is committed to working together with Customs and other stakeholders in Tonga, and with our international partners, to ensure Tonga is not a haven for criminals and gangs.’