A Supreme Court judge set a trial date for Tevita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi in the 15kg meth haul police had seized from his office at the National Reserved Bank of Tonga and his home.
The trial is scheduled for next month, Oct 16, 2024.
Tevita, 39, was arrested along with his sister ‘Ana Seini Kolokihakaufisi, 37, but as Kaniva News reported this week, ‘Ana has been discharged on apparent mental health grounds.
Tēvita was a senior official who worked for the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT).
They were arrested by Police with 5.73kg of the illicit drug at their family residence at Kolofo’ou, while a further 9.927kg was seized from Tēvita’s office at the NRBT.
Two defence counsels, who appeared for the siblings, sought bail for ‘Ana based on a letter from a doctor that was issued in 2015, indicating a previous mental health condition.
A Magistrate denied the bail application due to the time lapse since the medical report was issued. The magistrate suggested a more recent medical evaluation for the court to consider.
Commissioner of Police Shane McLennan stated at the time: “In continuing to work towards achieving our goals of Safe Homes, Safe Roads, and Safe Communities, Tonga Police will persist in targeting and working to disrupt and detect those responsible for placing our youths and communities in harm’s way through the supply of illicit drugs, and hold them to account.”
