Opening of new Tongan detector dog facility

Customs Minister Casey Costello is travelling to Tonga this evening to represent New Zealand at the official opening of the country’s second detector dog facility. “The new facility in Vava’u will help strengthen Tonga’s border and build local capability to combat organised crime and the drug trade,” Ms Costello says. “Transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) is a growing challenge across the Pacific with criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade and travel to move illicit drugs, firearms and cash across borders. “New Zealand is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to address this and the facility is a practical investment in Tonga’s security and that of the region.” New Zealand Customs and New Zealand Police worked alongside Tonga Police and Tonga’s Ministry of Revenue and Customs to deliver the project, with the facility being built locally. Vava’u has an international airport, and its port and regular yacht and small-craft traffic create an environment where strong border capability is important. The facility, located within the Tonga Police compound in Neiafu, will give Tonga’s detector dog teams a secure base on the island and will provide greater capa

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