The Minister of Police, Paula Piukala, recently blocked a medevac request, citing concerns over potential drug trafficking links.
Mr Piukala said he became suspicious after the air ambulance, which was scheduled to arrive on Sunday, failed to show up even though the minister declined the request for medevac. The request had been made by ATS, a local aviation services company, rather than the Ministry of Health, raising further questions.
“The timing of the request was concerning,” Mr Piukala said, referring to the country’s ongoing battle with drug trafficking. “Sunday is when there is low level security at the airport,” he added. His concerns come amid growing evidence of illicit drug trafficking across Tonga’s borders.
The Minister recently revealed he had received photographs of ships allegedly using cranes to lower packages into the sea near Vava’u, a suspected smuggling method.
Piukala also mentioned that he had asked the previous government during a parliament session as to why a flight to Samoa was approved to land in Tonga to refuel.
The ministry of police has introduced new security initiatives to strengthen border controls.
Tonga’s strict Sunday trading laws require ministerial approval for business operations.
