Tonga: National security reform drug operations to go after marijuana and cannabis supplies
On 28 February, Minister for Police, Paula Piukala, announced that the National Intelligence Security Unit (NISU) and Drugs Taskforce Unit would be reassigned to the Police Commissioner, and would work more closely with the Police’s Transnational Crimes Unit. Minister Piukala stated that the security reforms aimed to combat drug trafficking and transnational organised crime with a focus on drug supply. Further work included ongoing CCTV camera installation at borders, airports, and wharfs and a collaboration with His Majesty’s Armed Forces for maritime patrols to strengthen border security. Separately, the Tonga Police Drug Squad seized methamphetamine, cannabis, an M6 rifle, cash, and a vehicle in separate operations on 4 and 7 March.
Assessment: The reforms are significant measures to refocus and reassign drug operations to the Tonga Police Force - the NISU has been relocated from the Prime Ministers Office to the Tongan Police Force, both physically and in terms of authority. The reforms likely reflect government concerns that Tonga is trending the same way as Fiji with increased transnational organised crime, as well as increased regional influence from the Pacific Transnational Crime Network and Australia’s Pacific Policing Initiative. Drug operations in both Fiji and Tonga often target cannabis and marijuana plantations rather than methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs - a key indicator of success of the reformation will be increased reporting of the latter imported drugs rather than natural drugs grown in Tonga.
Sources: “Minister Piukala tightens security: drug taskforce, borders strengthened,” Talanoa o Tonga, March 6, 2025; “Police seize drugs, cash, and vehicle,” Talanoa o Tonga, March 5, 2025; “Drugs, firearms & cash seized in Police raids,” Talanoa o Tonga, March 12, 2025.
