A 58-year-old Customs officer has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, with two years suspended on conditions, after being convicted of importing prohibited firearms and ammunition into Tonga.
Mōsese Kātoa was found guilty by a jury on four charges, including two counts of importing prohibited goods under the Customs and Excise Management Act, failing to make a proper customs declaration, and bribing a government servant under the Criminal Offences Act. He had no previous convictions.
According to court documents, a shipment containing firearms and ammunition arrived aboard the Mountain Cameron on 30 August 2023. Kātoa attempted to clear the crate on 11 September, declaring only ammunition and denying the presence of firearms.
Customs officers proceeded to scan the crate and detected both firearms and ammunition, despite Kātoa stating there were no guns and claiming the consignment contained about 500 bullets.
He then attempted to offer a $50 bribe to a Customs officer to stop further inspection, which the court described as especially serious given his role as a serving Customs officer.
A full search revealed nine rifles, two shotguns, one pistol and 27 cases of ammunition.
The court noted that during the process, Kātoa repeatedly changed his explanation and later claimed the weapons belonged to another person and that he did not hold an import licence.
However, Justice Paul Garlic KC noted two mitigating factors in sentencing: the defendant’s previously good character and clean record, and his age.
All sentences were ordered to run concurrently, making a total sentence of four years’ imprisonment, with the final two years suspended for two years, subject to conditions.
The firearms and ammunition were ordered forfeited to the Crown.
