A police officer has been charged with corruption for allegedly accepting bribe in connection with Sione Filipe Jr’s illicit drug charges.
The accused was officer Fanguna Alalea who had his case called today, July 22, at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court, Matangi Tonga online has reported.
The matter is now before the Court and as such Police have no further comment to make at this time.
As Kaniva news reported last week, Filipe Jr has been arrested for the second time within the past three months after authorities seized illicit drugs.
Police reportedly said the arrest was in relation to illicit drugs.
A co-accused of Filipe, Siua Sekona has been also charged along with him in charges relating to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport in March, the report said.
Police reportedly said the case was called on July 15 at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court and adjourned to October 7 for investigation to be completed.
“Sekona, who lived in the United States, has been in police custody over the past few weeks. He was arrested while visiting Tonga and released on bail yesterday.”
As Kaniva news reported previously after Filipe’s first arrest, he was facing counts of illicit drug importation as well as firearms and ammunition charges, was scheduled to appear in Fasi Magistrate’s court on Monday, April 29.
It was understood the case has been held over until May 27.
In that case Filipe Jnr, 34, was charged after Quarantine Officers at Fua’amotu International Airport intercepted 242.22 grams of cannabis seeds on March 30.
However, police did not reveal the arrest until April 18 after Kaniva news asked them to confirm reports that Filipe Jnr had been arrested and charged with the importation of illicit drugs.
Police said at the time a search warrant executed at the accused’s residence in Tofoa resulted in the seizure of another 85.33 grams of cannabis liquid, together with illegal firearms and ammunition.
It said the accused had been charged with the unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, possession of firearms and ammunition without a license and making a false declaration on arrival card.
He was subsequently released on bail.
Filipe Jnr, who is also known as Johnny Filipe, married Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita’s second youngest daughter, Hon. Frederica Fatafehi ‘O Lapaha, who is a niece of king Tupou VI.
