By Courier Mail, edited and abridged by Kaniva News
A Tongan female drug trafficker in Australia has been sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended, and a conviction was recorded. She was not further punished for other offences.
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court Mele Lineti Cross had a passion and talent for music, which would lead to a scholarship at Griffith University.
Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross, 29, pleaded guilty and was convicted of four offences, including drug trafficking and theft.
The police operation which led to the arrest of Mele Cross at her Mundubbera home on September 9, 2021 was the result of a tragic story.
In her sentencing on February 14, 2023, the Bundaberg Supreme Court heard that Mele Cross was on a university scholarship but the loss of her two brothers years earlier haunted her.
Tragedy was to hit once more when her 11 family members perished in Queensland’s most horrific house fire tragedy in 2011.
A bright and gifted young girl with huge academic potential, her life spiralled after a series of blows and life challenges, the Australian’s Courier Mail reported.
Mele Cross turned to drugs and became enslaved by them, until she was eventually convicted of drug trafficking and received the suspended sentence.
At the time of her arrest Mele Cross allegedly had more than 40 customers across the Burnett.
Police found digital scales, a glass pipe, clip seal bags, a mobile phone and a reportedly stolen rental car at her home.
She was arrested, charged with 147 offences, including 139 counts of supplying dangerous drugs and one count of trafficking dangerous drugs in what police alleged was a highly developed drug “syndicate”.
For the trafficking, she was sentenced to five years jail, wholly suspended, and a conviction was recorded.
Two of her associates were also arrested as part of Operation Konopie.
Just some of the firearms, ammunition, cash and drug supplies obtained by police during Operation Konopie.
SHE CLAIMED MORE THAN $60K FROM CENTRELINK
In the 18 month period between June 2020 and August 2021, Cross supplied cannabis and more than 60 grams of meth to her customers, making more than $100,000 while also feeding her own drug habits.
Police revealed she was well aware of the business she was conducting, and made efforts to avoid police during her regular trips to Brisbane and other areas to obtain drugs for her clients, and even employed others to drive her around to make sales.
Text messages between Cross and her husband revealed she accepted any payment for her wares, including a revolver and an AK-style rifle in exchange for meth.
Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross
Cross told her husband in the text exchange “I haven’t done this before, but it’s no different to any other thing anyone does for money”.
Cross’ husband was not charged with any crime in relation to the investigation and no allegations of wrongdoing are made in respect of him.
In her February 2023 Supreme Court appearance the court heard she claimed more than $60,000 from Centrelink as a single parent while sharing her family home with her working husband.
BROTHERS KILLED IN HIT AND RUN TRAGEDY
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court of the shattering personal history that had contributed to her drug dependency and subsequent dealing.
She had been born and raised in Australia under Tongan immigrant parents, who were said to be hardworking and caring.
Raised and schooled in Greenslopes as the youngest of five, Mr Briggs told the court Cross had shown “academic promise” from a young age.
She experienced her first taste of tragedy when she was 11 years old, when her two oldest brothers were killed in a hit and run, which remains unsolved to this day.
As a result of the family tragedy, Cross was sent to live with her extended family in New South Wales in the hopes she could put the distress of her loss behind her.
Barrister Joseph Briggs told the court Mele Lineti Cross had a passion and talent for music, which would lead to a scholarship at Griffith University.
By Year 10 she had returned to Slacks Creek Brisbane, where she lived with a number of family members and was a “gifted” musician. Her musical talents were so extensive she gained enrolment at Mabel Park High School, known at the time for its musical programs.
In August of 2011, after graduating from high school while still living with her extended family in Slacks Creek, Mr Briggs told the court Cross had decided to spend the night away from her family home.
Flowers and tributes at the scene of the house fire, Wagensveldt Street, Slacks Creek, where 11 members of the family of Mele Lineti Sanipepa Cross died in 2011.
All 11 members of her family, many of whom were children, lost their lives to the tragedy that was ultimately not ruled suspicious.
Mr Briggs told the court Cross experienced an intense period of “survivors guilt” and after she entered Griffith University on a scholarship, she began experimenting with drugs to cope with the loss of her family.
That experimentation grew steadily into the addiction that would come to define her and destroy her life.
Fiji’s Coalition government will not interfere with the law as investigations into former government ministers and senior elections official continues.
Manoa Kamikamica is welcomed to the meeting with the Fijian community in Wellington Photo: Iliesa Tora/RNZ Pacific
The Deputy Prime Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, made the comments as he met members of the Fijian community in Wellington on Wednesday.
In the capital, leading a Trade Mission seeking discussions on possible investments in Fiji and partnerships focused on helping revive the Fijian economy, Kamikamica said a return to true democracy was the new government’s focus.
“And that includes letting the justice system takes its own course, with no interference from government,” he told the gathering at the Taranaki Wesley Church hall.
“I want to confirm here tonight that we, your government, does not have anything to do with current Police investigations against the former Prime Minister, the suspended Police Commissioner, the former Attorney General or the former Supervisor of Elections.
“Fiji Police is doing their own investigations on reports filed by members of the public in Fiji.”
Former Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho appeared in the Suva Magistrates court on March 10, with one charge each of abuse of office. They were bailed and told not to leave the country.
The former Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and Mohammed Saneem, the former Supervisor of Elections, were both interviewed by Fiji Police this week.
Kamikamica said the Coalition government in place now wants to ensure there is true democracy across the board in Fiji.
Manoa Kamikamica is garlanded during his meeting with the Fijian community in Wellington Photo: Iliesa Tora/RNZ Pacific
Trade mission
Three months into government, Kamikamica, who is also Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, said the trade mission to New Zealand is important in a lot of ways to Fiji.
He told the community members that both countries have a long-standing relationship that goes back a long time.
“For us the trade mission is important because it gives us the opportunity to meet with investors, business owners here and those of our own who have made it successfully here, and tell them that Fiji is ready to welcome them,” he said.
“Government has identified some key areas that we want to develop and these are what we are discussing with businesses and likely investors. This includes renewable energy, agriculture and manufacturing. We want to tell interested investors that Fiji is ready to host them and be the place for them to do business.”
The trade mission hopes to secure at least 50 companies and investors to invest in Fiji on this trip, the first by the Coalition government to any country.
Pacific hub
Manoa Kamikamica revealed that the government wants to make Fiji the business hub of the Pacific.
That, he added, would help lift the Fijian economy while at the same time also help boost economies of Pacific countries.
For example, he revealed that a Fijian company in Nadi will be manufacturing LED lightings that will be exported to New Zealand.
“That is a plus and something that we want to develop so we also become the hub of business in the Pacific and assist other Pacific economies in that way,” Mr Kamikamica stated.
“That creates more work for Fijians and also boosts the economy at home and assist here in New Zealand.”
Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tuku’aho has had the third COVID jab, her Tonga Mission Canberra office said Thursday.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anglika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho. Photo/ Tonga Mission Canberra
The 39-year-old daughter of the king of Tonga got his COVID-19 booster shot before what appeared to be livestream video and mobile phone cameras.
Her office promoted the booster and shared Her Royal Highness’ supporting the vaccines in Tongan.
‘Ko e ‘amanaki lelei eni ki he kaha’ú ketau fili fakapotopoto ‘o huhu malu’i. ‘I he ‘etau malu mo haó fili fakapotpopoto ma’au, ma’ae fāmilí, ma’ae komiunitī!
Ke hokohoko atu etau huhu malu’i !’, the Princess was quoted as saying in Tongan.
In English she said: ‘Getting the vaccination is a wise choice in the good hope it will protect you, the family and the community. May we continue to get the vaccination’.
Her Royal Highness’s jab came after her father King Tupou VI took his third booster jab early this month.
It followed by the Prime Minister Hon Hu’akavameiliku who received his third jab last week.
Tonga had 16,813 confirmed positive cases and 12 deaths.
It has been reported last week that New Zealand’s Pacific community and health providers have reached 96% of the community including Tongans since the arrival of Covid-19.
Speaking at the opening of the Pasifika Futures Whānau Ora conference in Auckland’s Manukau on Thursday, New Zealand based paediatrician Cook Islander Dr Kiki Maoate urged Pacific stakeholders to continue doing all they could to reach the rest of Pasifika Aotearoa.
A Tongan man is still at large after a fatal shooting outside a tobacco shop near a strip mall in Concord, California about 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, the Concord Police Department said.
Sione “Ono” Amanaki is sought in connection with a homicide investigation in Concord. Police said he may be in Oakland. (Concord Police Department)
Police have now launched a homicide investigation into the death of the victim, a 21-year-old man.
One suspect, a 19-year-old woman from Martinez, was arrested Tuesday evening, but a second suspect in the shooting is still at large and believed to be in Oakland, officials reportedly said.
Officials identified the second suspect as Sione “Ono” Amanaki, a 20-year-old man from Concord, the Bay Area’s The Daily reported.
Officers arrived at the scene in the area of Solano Way and Broadmoor Avenue after receiving a call at about 9.48 am. regarding gunshots, police said.
Police said two people were found with gunshot wounds; a 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other person was taken to the hospital. KTVU reported that the wounded individual was the 21-year-old’s stepfather.
Lieutenant Sean Donnelly with the Concord police told SFGATE that the surviving person is in critical condition. He said the motive is “most likely drug-related.”
Concord police said the investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this case may contact Detective James Nielsen with CPD’s Major Crimes Unit at 925-603-5817. CPD Case #23-2834. We also have an anonymous tip line at 925-603-5836.
The Supreme Court will hear an application for contempt of court against the Ministry of Infrastructure brought by three roading contractors on April 12.
Minister for Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua
The contractors claim the Ministry and Minister of Infrastructure Sevenitini Toumo’ua have ignored court orders made against them.
The companies, City Engineering and Constructions Ltd, Inter Pacific Ltd and Island Dredging Ltd, were originally contracted by the previous government to work on its highly controversial roading programme.
The present government issued a call for new tenders on September 22, 2022.
It then issued notices of termination against the three companies on January 18 this year.
The three companies brought an action against the Ministry and Hon. Toumo’ua and earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled in their favour.
In his summary of the case, dated February 23, Lord Chief Justice Whitten said that pending the final hearing and determination of the proceedings, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Minister were not to take any further action on an invitation for new bids for the Supply and Delivery of Coral Fills to Constituency 9, Matatoa, Kanokupolu and Masilamea Atatā.
They were ordered not act on letters purporting to be Notices of Termination dated 18 January 2023 in respect of the Contracts between it and City Engineering and Constructions Ltd and Inter Pacific Ltd.
They were also ordered to do what was necessary to resume the supply of coral fill to the three contractors.
On March 6 2023, the three companies filed an application for leave to start proceedings against the Ministry and Hon. Toumo’ua for contempt of court on the grounds that it had failed to comply with the Supreme Court’s orders.
Lord Chief Justice Whitten said that by March 16, it appeared that all that had happened since the orders were made was that a number of meetings with Ministry staff had been conducted to discuss resumption of the works.
However, the plaintiffs had alleged with evidence, that the Minister had expressed an intention to continue with contracts let to other companies, despite an undertaking given on behalf of the Ministry that this would not happen.
“In order to consider those decisions and to enable whatever agreements or decisions that have been reached during the various meetings to date to come to fruition with, hopefully, the resumption of works, it was agreed that further consideration of the application be adjourned to 12 April 2023 at 9 am,” the Lord Chief Justice said.
After a decade of struggle and determination, Tongan student Donald (Nolo) Heimuli will graduate with a Bachelor of Information Technology in June from Whitireia and WelTec.
Heimuli (Right) with other Tongan students during language week
Heimuli originally enrolled in IT with Whitireia via Tupou Tertiary Institute, where students in Tonga could start the programme locally and complete their final year in New Zealand.
Unfortunately, in 2013, due to financial circumstances, he was unable to travel to New Zealand to finish his bachelor’s degree.
Instead, he trained at the Tonga Rugby Union to qualify as a coach and become a Development Officer for junior rugby working with young players.
Six years later he felt it was time to complete his studies and was encouraged by Whitireia and WelTec to return to his study.
He was supported by his family in Tonga and lived with relatives in New Zealand during his studies. During the holidays he picked fruit in Gisborne to contribute to study costs and was awarded funding through Pacific Health Plus.
Last summer, Heimuli was a successful recipient of a TupuToa internship and gained experience at an insurance company assisting the information security team for 12 weeks. His internship was extended because of the quality of his work.
As part of his studies, he completed several practical assignments. His final project was a complete digitalisation of the New Zealand Amateur Rock ‘n’ Roll Association (NZARRA), which had previously been paper based.
“I give thanks to God Almighty for the blessings that He has bestowed upon me and has led me through difficulties to achieve this great achievement,” Heimuli said.
“I have had wonderful support from the amazing teachers at Whitireia and WelTec as well as my kāinga and friends who helped me get to this point.
“Mālō ‘Aupito. Now, I need to secure a good job in IT so I can return the support to those who have helped me, and maybe there is someone else from Tonga who would like to follow in my footsteps – that I can help.”
Picture captions:
Donald (Nolo) Heimuli
Heimuli with other Tongan students during Tongan language week
A Tongan family in New Zealand is devastated after their son was shot and killed by Auckland police.
Family identified David Lolie Jr Fononga as the 26-year-old man who died.
David Lolie Jr Fononga
Investigators said Police shot Fononga outside the Henderson Police Station on Friday after he shot at police officers and tried to rob a cash-in-transit Armourguard van at the Henderson Gull petrol station
Fononga’s aunty, Toe’umu Tonga, told Kaniva News Fononga, who was also known to the family by the name Leka, was her nephew.
She said she was working with Police to confirm Fononga’s details.
“Oh how devastating to see your siblings lamenting while you are ready to leave look at us we couldn’t face it”, Toe’umu tributed her nephew in Tongan.
Toe’umu said she deeply felt for the deceased’s grandmother after she was made aware of the tragedy that killed her beloved grandson.
“Leka, where are you going to go to. This is a new day after she called your name and received no response”, Toe’umu said in Tongan, of the grandmother.
“Sleep beautifully handsome boy we deeply love you”.
“Rest in Love and Peace now our handsome nephew Leka”, a tribute from a relative said.
Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said: “Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time”.
Terror-stricken residents ducked for cover and they watched in disbelief as the gunman pointed the barrel of his firearm out his car window and targeted police as he drove around West Auckland, the NZ Herald report said.
One witness described a furious “flurry of gunfire” as the rampage was brought to an end outside the police station.
The rampage started with an attempted robbery at the Henderson Valley Rd Gull service station on Friday.
A number of police cars were riddled with pellets and one showed a blast hole near the driver’s wheel. At least one officer was injured taking evasive action to avoid being fired on.
Hassan said the shooting was an “inexcusable act of violence” where the man shot at police “at least seven” times and possibly members of the public.
Waitematā councillor Shane Henderson said the shooting had left the community on edge.
“Residents are really fearful, they’re anxious, and they want to be reassured they’re safe [after] the terrible shooting.
“At the same time, I think [people] are really thankful that the police acted swiftly and controlled the situation without either officers or the public being hurt in such a dangerous situation,” he said.
“We need to wrap our arms around our loved ones and hold them close. Remember – we’re all a community together and we will get through this.”
“It’s something we have to get a handle on.
“I’m giving [police] space at the moment, but I’ve reached out today and hopefully we’ll connect when they’re ready to talk about the more preventative measures.”
Henderson had not spoken to the gunman’s family.
“I think it’s appropriate to give people space. They have lost a loved one, like everyone. I think it would be wrong of me at this stage to bowl into a situation like that.”
Fononga was already known to police. He had charges relating to drugs and violence, Hassan said.
Police were reviewing the shootings, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority had been notified as well as WorkSafe.
They continued their appeal for images, videos and dashcam or security footage of events.
The man fatally shot at an Auckland police station last week was 26-year-old David Lolie Junior Fononga, police said on Tuesday.
The suspect fired at police on at least seven occasions, police said. Photo: RNZ Marika Khabazi
Fononga died in hospital on Friday afternoon after being shot by police outside the Henderson Police Station, after allegedly holding up a cash-in-transit van at a petrol station on Henderson Valley Road that morning.
Nobody was injured in that initial incident, but he returned soon afterwards and pointed a gun at a police officer, before fleeing in a vehicle.
The suspect fired at police on at least seven occasions, Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said on Friday evening, and may have also fired at members of the public.
On arrival at the station he got out of his vehicle, brandishing a weapon, and ignored police warnings – and was shot.
Hassan called it an “inexcusable act of violence towards police staff and members of the public”. One officer received minor injuries while taking evasive action.
On Tuesday, Hassan said investigations into the incident were still ongoing. She said police’s thoughts were with Fononga’s family “at this difficult time”.
Fononga was known to police, on active charges relating to drugs and violence.
Police have requested anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage, videos or photos to upload them via https://electric.nc3.govt.nz. Information can be provided via 105, referencing file number 230317/3304.
The two chief executives (CEO) of the Real Tonga and Fly Niu airlines have agreed to work together if the government sell its Lulutai airline to Fly Niu.
(L-R) ‘Atu Finau, Tēvita Palu and Semi Halanukonuka. Photo/Supllied
They believed the combination of their more than 30 years experiences in the airlines industry would help provide a viable and stable airline service.
Real Tonga CEO Tevita Palu has previously announced his company was ready to take over the Lulutai services.
Fly Niu CEO ‘Atu Finau met with Real Tonga CEO in Tonga today.
Finau said the government’s Lulutai airlines would never recover and operate viably if Australia remove its $500,000 financial subsidy in June.
Finau believed the Lulutai airlines’ troubles were huge and could not be resolved in the short term.
The airlines’ 34 seat SAAB 340B aircraft is undergoing engine repairs and is expected to be grounded for three to four months.
Finau said the aircraft was old and its spare parts were expensive. It first flew with Mesaba Airlines in the United States in 1996.
Finau told Kaniva News he was in contact with Palu and agreed to work with him.
Palu previously told Kaniva News he was willing to help Finau in whatever way he could, such as he was currently doing to other airlines in Tonga including the Airline NZ, Qantas, Fiji Airways and Lulutai.
It appears that whichever company the government sells Lulutai to, the two CEOs will work together.
Prime Minister’s responses
The $500,000 donation by the Australian government has helped Tonga pay Fiji Airways to run a passenger service seven times a week between Tongatapu and Vava’u.
Following the Australian financial assistance critics questioned the validity of a report by the late Tu’ionetoa’s government saying that the airlines was operating at a profit.
As Kaniva News reported previously, the former Prime Minister said the government-owned Lulutai airline was making money, although he did not provide any figures to show the level of profit being generated.
The Prime Minister attributed the success of Lulutai to a new economic model he said was approved by his Cabinet.
Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku did not answer questions in Parliament recently asking him whether the airlines was operated in loss.
“’Oku mou lele lelei lele tupu pē ‘oku lele mole”, the question by Tongatapu 5 MP Dr ‘Aisake Eke said.
Dr Eke also asked the Prime Minister to confirm whether the airline would be returned to the private sector or not.
In his response, Hu’akavameiliku said the government’s interest in the airline is only to make sure the flight service needs could be met.
He said: “When it is stable, we pull back and leave it to a “mixture of shareholders””.
The Prime Minister’s response has raised more questions:
Does this mean the government has failed to serve the country with a stable flight service?
Why did the Prime Minister refuse to say whether the airlines is operating at a loss or is in profit?
Is this the right time for the government to return the airlines to the private sectors while Australia is still funding its Vava’u – Tongatapu services?
What is the Prime Minister waiting for?
Fly Niu Airlines stopped operations in 2004 after the government of Tonga granted domestic monopoly rights to Peau Vavau, which itself collapsed in 2009. This was succeeded by Real Tonga Airlines in 2013, which was forced out by the government, which installed Lulutai airlines.
Both Air Niu and Real Tonga have made several attempts to re-start their services in Tonga.
For more information
Real Tonga boss urges government to let private sector take over air transport
