Nine men have been arrested in Tonga and charged with possession of illicit drugs and over 4,800 illegal live bullets.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koro Vaka'uta
The men were residents of Tongatapu, with the exception of a 60-year old man from 'Eua.
The drugs included four packs of methamphetamine and over 61 grams of cannabis.
The latest seizure of ammunition and the uptake in the seizure of illegal weapons come amid concerns online attacks on both the Monarchy and government could materialise into reality.
Police issued a statement saying they were concerned with the significant amount of ammunition that has been smuggled into the country and the risks they pose to the community's safety.
Proposals by government to transfer some of the Monarch's power to the executive has met with public resistance.
While the government said criticism of the King has led it to contemplate banning Facebook.
Pro-Monarchy supporters are claiming the government is behind online threats against the royal family and talk of a ban is a decoy.
