A suspended Tongan police officer is among seven people arrested in Nuku'alofa on drugs charges.
The Central Police Station in Tonga's capital, Nuku'alofa. Photo: RNZI/Gareth Thomas
Police said one woman and six men were arrested on Tuesday and 20.85 grams of methamphetamine were seized along with two grams of cocaine and drug utensils.
The arrests, in two locations of the capital, are part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the methamphetamine supply in the kingdom.
However, the team leader at the Salvation Army's Alcohol and Drug Awareness Centre said law enforcement is only part of the solution in tackling the meth "tsunami".
Ned Cook said Tonga needs a rehabilitation centre to address harm reduction but says they need funds.
"So that we can provide a proper bridge programme which starts with detox and then residential day programme, after care and then follow them up for at least a year. A rehab or residential rehabilitation centre would really help."
Ned Cook said currently they can only provide 10-week drug education courses for users.