A Tongan businessman has been sentenced for his role in importing 30 kilograms of methamphetamine from Tonga, which was intended for New Zealand’s King Cobras gang.
Ronnie Kivalu was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty and will be eligible for parole after serving five and a half years.
Kivalu and his agent in Tonga, Kama Manulevu concealed the methamphetamine among the frozen vegetables packed into a shipping container and sent to Auckland.
Manulevu was sentenced to life imprisonment in Tonga for his involvement in transporting the drugs.
According to a report by the New Zealand Herald, Kivalu was caught red-handed with two King Cobra gang members unpacking nearly 30kg of methamphetamine he had imported inside the frozen vegetables.
Kivalu’s offending came to light following the initiation of Operation Selena in June 2021. This operation was launched by the New Zealand Police as part of a strategic effort to combat the escalating problem of drug smuggling activities occurring at the nation’s borders.
Investigating the case, Operation Selena started when Aisake Feleti was identified handing over $1.2 million to a money-laundering syndicate.
Encrypted messages on Feleti’s phone showed he was importing drugs from the United States with the help of an “insider” at Auckland International Airport.
Sese Vimahi was a senior baggage handler at Air New Zealand who could manipulate the transfer of luggage from international flights so that the bags were never screened by Customs.
Also known as “Tongan Pablo”, Vimahi is currently serving a prison sentence of 14 years and seven months for helping smuggle 20kg of meth that was uncovered in an earlier investigation.
His time in prison is likely to increase when he is sentenced in February.
Kivalu was supported by a large group of family, friends and senior members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who gave references in support of his character.
