The son of a man allegedly murdered by a US-based hitman is on the run after escaping police custody in Tonga.

RNZ earlier revealed Tanginoa Pahulu Tangi is believed to have been sent to New Zealand by an organised criminal group based in the US to carry out a killing. He is jointly charged with two others of killing Tuipulotu Vi in August 2024. Vi was not involved in the drug world.

The homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Block, is linked to Operation Mexted, a joint investigation by the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) and Customs, which targeted a transnational organised criminal cell.

In January 2024, Customs intercepted a consignment containing 18kgs of cocaine and six prohibited semi-automatic pistols. Police claim the syndicate had attempted to import the consignment into New Zealand.

This seizure led to a police investigation which uncovered more than 125kgs of controlled drugs they believe the syndicate had attempted to import into the country from North America.

After the seizure there was a series of shootings in the South Auckland area. Police believe one of those targeted was Vi's son, Liuaki Kokohu Vi.

Kokohu Vi, a 35-year-old New Zealand citizen of Tongan descent, is now on the run in Tonga.

On Wednesday, Tonga Police held a news conference regarding Kokohu Vi, a 35-year-old Fijian national, and a 16-year-old male - who escaped from custody at the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Fijian national and the 16-year-old have been caught.

Police earlier put up a TP$5000 (approx. NZ$3400) reward for information relating to their capture.

"For clarity, the reward money is up to 5000 Pa'anga for each individual, but the information must result in their recapture," Turner said.

Tongan Police said Kokohu Vi is considered a high-risk escapee due to his criminal history

He also announced an internal investigation into whether corruption, opportunity, or other factors led to the escape.

"To be able to walk out of a [police] station and pretty much disappear, there is got to be outside help," he said.

"I would be telling you a mistruth if that is not the case. But we are working on those lines of inquiry."

Turner said police identified a potential risk in relation to the security of the Central Police Station's cells.

"We had already arranged a meeting with a company to actually alleviate this, which is due on the 3rd of August. And unfortunately, this happened before we could put that process in place to upgrade the cells and the security down there."

He reassured the work to improve the cells would continue as scheduled with no supplementary budget needed.

"Our budget has been allocated by the government this year. We had funding allocated to us. We are not seeking additional funding, there is funding within our envelope to fix this particular issue," he said.

"We ae working with a South African-based company with a lot of experience in this space, and we will work through this in the next couple of weeks on what this looks like."

Turner said any information about the escapees can be relayed to 922 or mobile phone number 7401656.