Nearly five years after cocaine packages washed ashore at Hōleva and Haʻalaufuli beaches in Vavaʻu, two bags of what has been described as “ice” were discovered on Sunday.
Neiafu town officer Vava Lapota claimed that the two packages of “ice” were discovered by residents and later handed over to the Neiafu Police.
Kaniva News has contacted Police for comment.
The details of the items and how they ended up on the beach are still unknown.
The discovery follows a major cocaine shipment that washed ashore in July 2021 at what is believed to be the same location.
In that incident, more than 14 kilograms of cocaine—estimated to have a street value of $2.3 million—washed up along the beaches of Hōleva and Haʻalaufuli, triggering a large-scale search by Tonga Police and the Navy.
At the time, Police warned: “There is possibility that more packages may turn up on the beach and we ask any members of the public to immediately contact Police if they found or knew anyone to have found further drugs,” said Detective Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Taufa.
Taufa strongly reminded that anyone who has in their possession any of the washed-up drugs and failing to hand over to Police is a serious offence.
Eight people were later sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 13.5 years for their opportunistic roles in handling blocks of cocaine from a large shipment that washed ashore at Ha’alaufuli’s ‘Otualea Beach.
PM Fakafanua warning
The reported drugs washing ashore come after suspected cocaine packages were found across islands in Fiji’s Lau Group last week.
Reports said the latest discovery adds to earlier finds in Moala, Kabara, and Moce.
Authorities believe recent rough sea conditions may have dislodged concealed packages, causing them to surface and wash ashore.
The developments in Fiji come shortly after Tonga’s Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, warned that Tonga must step up its alertness and preparedness to combat illicit drugs, citing increased trafficking in nearby Fiji.
