Tonga is grappling with a worsening methamphetamine crisis fueled by transnational criminal networks and local collaborators. Recent arrests indicate the growing sophistication of the illicit trade, which has devastating social and economic impacts.
Described as a “methamphetamine superhighway,” Tonga faces significant vulnerabilities due to its geographic position. Criminal networks, including outlaw motorcycle gangs like the Comancheros, exploit its borders and maritime routes to smuggle drugs, often via yachts and small vessels.

From 2018 through mid-2024, authorities seized over 97 kilograms of methamphetamine, with more than half confiscated in the past two years. From over 100 drug-related arrests by police over the last two years, more than half of them were arrested in 2024 alone. Despite modest figures compared to global seizures, the impact on Tonga’s population of just over 100,000 is staggering.
The street value of methamphetamine, or “ice,” in Tonga is estimated at TOP $500 to $1,000 per gram—far higher than in Southeast Asia—making it an attractive market for traffickers. These profits drive corruption, as evidenced by a senior customs officer arrested in 2019 for aiding drug imports.
The societal effects are profound. Methamphetamine addiction has led to surges in domestic violence, child neglect, and mental health crises. Tonga’s head psychiatrist, Dr. Mapa Puloka, reported that 20% to 70% of monthly psychiatric admissions are linked to drug use, often involving methamphetamine.
“Drugs are like a cancer in the community,” Puloka said, adding that methamphetamine is a leading cause of mental illness and relapse among those with chronic disorders.

Youth are especially vulnerable. ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, director of the Women and Children Crisis Centre, said this crisis is tearing families apart. She highlighted a case where a 16-year-old attempted suicide after becoming addicted to methamphetamine marketed as a study aid.
Drug-related prosecutions have surged, comprising over half of Tonga’s criminal cases since 2018. In 2021, at the National Symposium on Illicit Drugs, Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Taufa declared the crisis unprecedented. King Tupou VI urged the government to prioritize public education on drugs, calling for urgent financial resources to tackle the issue. Acting Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu described methamphetamine as “Tonga’s killing virus, not COVID-19.”

Tonga Police have intensified operations, targeting drug hubs in villages like Lapaha and Hauloto. Recent raids led to the arrest of 17 individuals in 2024, including gang members, customs officers, and a businessman accused of money laundering. These efforts uncovered more kilograms of methamphetamine, cash-counting machines, and gang paraphernalia. However, law enforcement faces resource constraints and the sophisticated methods of traffickers.
High-profile cases illustrate the crisis’s scale. Businessman Ronnie Kivalu was convicted of importing 30 kilograms of methamphetamine for the New Zealand-based King Cobras gang, revealing how legitimate businesses are used as fronts. In another case just last year, a senior official at the National Reserve Bank of Tonga and his sibling were caught with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Corruption and systemic challenges have allowed methamphetamine to infiltrate institutions, with Tonga’s prison becoming a drug trafficking hub. Despite arrests and legal reforms, including amendments to the Illicit Drugs Control Act, enforcement remains limited.

The UNODC advocates for comprehensive strategies, including reinforced border security, rehabilitation programs, and economic stability. Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell acknowledged progress but stressed, “Our fight against the drug trade in the region is far from over.”
Addressing this crisis will continue to require sustained collaboration among the government, law enforcement, and international allies to dismantle criminal networks and protect Tonga’s communities.