A Tonga customs officer has appeared in court following the seizure of a large quantity of drugs last month.
59-year-old Paula Naitoko is facing nine charges for engaging with others to import illicit drugs, and for aiding and abetting the importation of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Tonga Police reported its Drug Enforcement Taskforce seized drugs with a street value of more than $US2.5 million dollars.
The haul included methamphetamine, cannabis and cannabis oil, allegedly smuggled into Tonga from the United States.
This article is republished under Kaniva’s content partnership agreement with Radio New Zealand.
Scorned by Rugby Australia, controversial rugby star Israel Folau could be offered a place in the Tongan national side.
Former Wallaby Toutai Kefu is the head coach of Tonga and says Folau would be welcome in his team.
“I’d love that. I think he would get a lot of satisification out of playing for Tonga,” Kefu told the ABC.
Folau is waiting to find out just what penalty will be imposed by Rugby Australia after an independent panel found him guilty of a “high level” breach of his contract – for his controversial social media posts.
Folau’s parents are Tongan, but Kefu acknoweldges World Rugby rules mean he would be unable to play on International stage for three years.
“He could definitely be available for the next World Cup (France 2023),” he said.
“If he does get dismissed by Rugby Australia, he could play in the UK or France, there is plenty of top level competition for him.”
Kefu admits Folau would need to take a massive pay cut.
“Tongan Rugby Union has no money, we are 100 per cent funded by world rugby.
“We cant afford to pay our players. So our players they play for pride of jersey, they play to representative their families, they play to go to a World Cup,” Kefu said.
Another option for Folau could be Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest’s Global Rapid Rugby competition.
Forrest started the competition after Western Force were axed from Super Rugby and it’s, is set to expand next year and the tournament is seeking star signings.
The Australian has reported there’s interest in making Folau the marquee signing of one of the overseas clubs – Hong Kong-based South China Tigers, Singapore-based Asia Pacific Dragons, Fiji and Samoa are involved in a showcase 2019 tournament.
This article is republished under Kaniva’s content partnership agreement with Radio New Zealand.
Police have arrested four men in the kingdom’s latest drugs
bust.
Deputy Police Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said the
Drug Enforcement Taskforce made the arrest in Longolongo.
He said the accused had illicit drugs packed ready for sale.
Police seized 55 packs of cannabis (49.86 grams) and15 packs
of methamphetamine (97.47 grams) along with drug paraphernalia and cash.
The four men included a 35-year-old man from Longolongo, a
29-year-old man from Hala’ovave, a 30-year-old man from Hoi and a 26-year-old
man from Haveluloto.
“These arrests should reassure the community that preventing
illicit drugs supply is a high priority for Police,” Deputy Commissioner
Vaisuai said.
“We will continue to target those who supply drugs within our
community.”
In recent weeks Tongan police have made several arrests.
During the Easter Public holidays, they arrested 17 people at
three different locations in ongoing drugs operations.
On April 19, the Drug
Taskforce arrested 10 men at a residence in Hofoa and seized 30 packs of
methamphetamine (24.07 grams), nine packs of cannabis (2.88 grams), drugs
paraphernalia, four live .22 bullets and cash.
Nine men were charged with unlawful possession of illicit
drugs while the 10th man was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition.
On April 20, the Drug Taskforce arrested five men at a
residence in Havelu where they seized 15 packs of methamphetamine (5.65 grams)
and two bottles of homebrew, drugs paraphernalia and cash.
On the same day police arrested a 26-year-old woman from
Touliki and 20-year-old man from Houmakelikao on Salote Road at Ma’ufanga, who
had in their possession four packs of methamphetamine (1.18 grams), cash and
drug paraphernalia.
A man arrested and charged a 34-year-old Tongan man after
Quarantine Officers at the Fua’amotu International Airport intercepted 242.22
grams of cannabis seeds being illegally brought into the country on March 30.
Police recently seized about $US1.2 million worth of
methamphetamine during a drug operation in Fahefa.
Anybody with information about drug related offending is
asked to contact the police on 922.
The
main points
Police
have arrested four men in the kingdom’s latest drugs bust.
Deputy
Police Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai said the Drug Enforcement
Taskforce made the arrest in Longolongo.
He
said the accused had illicit drugs packed ready for sale.
For
more information
Princess Pilolevu’s
son-in-law arrested for alleged importation of illicit drugs as Police arrest
17 others in separate incidents
Pouono ‘Aisake has been sentenced to six years imprisonment
for grievous bodily harm.
The imprisonment has been backdated to March 15.
On August 23, 2018, at about 7pm ‘Aisake’s wife was at her parents’ house in Hofoa when her partner visited. ‘Aisake arrived and was asked to leave, but he did not.
He went into the house and was again asked to leave,
this time by his mother-in-law. This time he left, but returned with a
machete. The Police were called and Snr Police Constable Tafokitau ‘Ahokava and
another officer arrived.
‘Aisake said he did not know the Police had arrived, but hid
inside the back room while holding the machete.
When Snr Constable Tafokitau
opened the door to the back room
‘Aisake struck him on the head with the machete causing a grievous
injury.
When ‘Aisake was
arrested and interviewed he pleaded guilty.
His childhood was marked by his father’s alcoholism and violence and he dropped out of primary school. ‘Aisake has a criminal record, including a previous conviction for armed robbery involving the use of a firearm, and a history of alcohol and drug abuse.
Mr ‘Aisake said he was angry at his
wife and mother-in-law for asking him to leave and that he had brought
the machete from his home for his personal protection from
his wife’s brother
with whom he had fought before.
Snr Constable Tafokitau
underwent surgery after the attack.
“While it appears that the victim has recovered physically,
the same cannot be said for his mental and his emotional states,” Lord Chief
Justice Paulsen said.
“He has suffered memory loss and is forgetful at work. He has
become cautious, angry at home, is
easily startled and has interrupted sleep. He can no longer participate in
activities that may risk further injury such as touch rugby.
“Mr ‘Aisake did not visit the victim in hospital and apologised to him only the day before he was arraigned and not in the
traditional Tongan manner.”
The judge said the Supreme Court had signalled that it would
deal harshly with perpetrators of machete attacks.
He quoted Mr Justice Cato who said: “The use of
a machete which is
a potentially lethal
weapon as an instrument
of violence must be denounced.”
“The offending was serious involving a surprise attack,” Lord Chief Justice
Paulsen said.
“It was an act of extreme, pre-meditated violence using a
machete to the head of the victim who was not only entirely vulnerable,
but had done nothing to provoke
Mr ‘Aisake.”
The judge said he would not suspend any part of ‘Aiseke’s
sentence because he had previously had a suspended sentence and still
re-offended.
He therefore imposed a sentence of six years.
The
main points
Pouono
‘Aisake has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for grievous bodily harm.
The
judge said he would not suspend any part of ‘Aiseke’s sentence because he had
previously had a suspended sentence and still re-offended.
Tonga’s
banking system will continue to remain strong, according to the National
Reserve Bank.
The Governor
of the Reserve Bank, Sione Ngongo Kioa, said foreign reserves were projected to
remain at a comfortable level and inflation was likely to remain below five
percent.
Kioa said
the banking system remained sound as banks continued to maintain a strong
capital position supported by adequate profits.
Tonga’s
economic performance remained positive in the medium term, but uncertainty
about weather posed a risk.
Despite the
largely positive outlook, there were some negative indicators in February.
While the
volume of agricultural exports rose by 31.3 tonnes on the back of higher shipment
of cassava and yam, the level of export proceeds for the month fell.
A slow down
in construction activity slowed in February was reflected in fewer loans being
extended to the construction sector while housing loans rose slightly.
Remittances
dropped again in February due to lower private transfers for family support
from abroad.
Container
registrations declined, mainly due to a fall in the number of private
containers.
Travel
receipts fell in line with and decline in international air arrivals.
Meanwhile,
electricity consumption increased in February, coinciding with a rise in the
number of electricity consumers.
Foreign
reserves declined in February 2019 by TP$5.5 million to TP$473.5 million,
equivalent to 7.9 months of imports cover.
This was a
result of higher import payments made over the month.
At its April
meeting Reserve Bank of Tonga’s Board of Directors agreed to maintain the monetary policy rate at 0%; to
keep the minimum loans/deposit ratio of 80%; maintain the Statutory Reserve Deposit ratio
at 10%, and maintain the inflation reference rate at 5%.
The
main points
Tonga’s
banking system will continue to remain strong, according to the National
Reserve Bank.
The
Governor of the Reserve Bank, Sione Ngongo Kioa, said foreign reserves were
projected to remain at a comfortable level and inflation was likely to remain
below five percent.
Vilisoni Finau has been found guilty in the Supreme Court of reckless driving causing death.
Lord Chief Justice
Paulsen said the charge against Finau had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
“It is
difficult to see how Mr. Finau could have driven in a more reckless or
dangerous manner,” the judge said.
Finau
pleaded guilty on arraignment on November 13, 2018, to a charge of causing
death while driving under the influence of alcohol.
On April 16
this year the prosecution was permitted to change the indictment to one count
of reckless driving causing death. Finau pleaded not guilty to the amended
charge.
The court was told that on June 1, 2018, a utility driven by Finau was involved in a collision with a car driven by Tou’anga Ma’a Tonga Kamea at the corner of Vaha’akolo Rd and Mateialona Rd in Nuku’alofa.
Kamea
suffered serious injuries and died soon afterwards.
In his
defence, Finau said it had not been proved that he drove recklessly and caused
the death of Kamea.
Finau did
not give evidence or call any witnesses in his defence.
The only
witness to the collision was Mrs Fekita Toumo’ua, who the judge described
honest, credible and convincing.
“Her
evidence was hardly challenged in cross examination and nothing that was put
to her led me to doubt her recollection of events,” Lord Chief Justice Paulsen
said.
About
11.30pm on June 1, 2018, Toumo’ua was
driving north on Vaha’akolo Road. She
was travelling at around 30 kilometres per hour and on her way to work at a
local radio station.
As she was
coming up to Queen Salote College (approaching the Vaha’akolo Road and
Mateialona Road intersection) she could hear a roaring noise that sounded like
a big truck. She saw the utility coming up behind her very quickly. She said it
was travelling ‘as fast as an aeroplane’ and at 100 kilometres per hour or
more. She moved to the left side of the road in case the vehicle hit her.
She said a
car had entered the intersection ahead travelling in an easterly direction on
Mateialona Road. She thought it had slowed but not stopped before entering the
intersection. The utility then entered the intersection. She did not see it
slow, nor did she see any brake lights go on. The
utility did not use
the roundabout but drove
straight over the top of it and collided with the car.
She did not
stop but called the Police to report the collision.
When
interviewed by police, Finau said that he had been a Police Officer for 30
years. On the evening of the collision he had attended a party and a ball. He said
he had been drinking beer and wine and had lost count of the number of drinks
that he had. He could not recall where he had gone after the ball or remember
the accident.
The court
was told that In his voluntary statement Finau said: “The truth is it was my
alcohol consumption that caused the death and that’s what happens when
consuming alcohol and driving.”
Lord Chief
Justice Paulsen said Finau would be sentenced at a later date.
The
main points
Vilisoni Finau has been found guilty in the Supreme Court of
reckless driving causing death,
Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the charge against Finau had
been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
“It is difficult to see how Mr. Finau could have driven in a
more reckless or dangerous manner,” the judge said.
A TP$6
million contract payment agreement between Tonga and a New Zealand company to
give the kingdom a “golden opportunity” to connect to a back up fibre internet
cable has baffled government authorities.
The
government believed the deal would not return any benefit to the country.
Tonga Cable
Ltd paid US$2.4 million (TP$3 million) in July 2017 for the deal. The second TP$3
million was due in July 2018 but the government, which guaranteed the deal, has
yet to pay it, a government spokesperson said.
He said the current Pohiva government was made aware of the details of the deal when Hawaiki wanted the settlement paid last year.
The TP$6
million deal, which was signed by former Deputy Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni,
was made as part of another TP$40 million (US$17 million) deal planned between
the government and Hawaiki.
In that
planned deal Hawaiki would allow Tonga to have a back up optic fibre internet
through its international optic fibre cable which connected New Zealand,
Australia, Fiji and Papua New Guinea to Hawai’i and US.
The spokesperson said the government was concerned at the fact that TP$6 million had been agreed to be paid to the Hawaiki just to secure an opportunity to connect to its submarine branching unit.
“The deal is
baffling,” he said.
Against World Bank advice
The World
Bank has funded $50 million for Tonga’s high-speed internet cable which was
launched in 2013.
Tonga asked
the Bank to also fund a back up, or redundancy, cable but the Bank advised
against it, saying it was not “financially viable.”
The government
was advised that the main fibre cable and its back up should not be of the same
type.
“It was a good advice because if there was plans to destroy the cable as happened recently, the vandals might could easily have destroyed the redundancy cable because they were in the same place,” the spokesperson said.
The best
option was to have Tonga’s back up service through a sattelite connection.
Clarification
The
spokesperson wanted to clarify a report by Kaniva
news last week about the deals.
As we
reported, TCL Director Paula Piveni Piukala and Trade and Economic Development
Minister Hon Tu’i Uata said they were in New Zealand to inquire about a TP$50
million contract agreement signed by the former government with the Hawaiki
telecommunications company.
We reported
according to an interview by Pacific Media Network on Radio 531 PI Tongan
programme.
The
spokesperson said he wanted to clarify that the TP$50 million contract Piukala
and Hon. Uata were talking about included the total of the TP$6 million deal
and the TP$40 million deal with Hawaiki, plus other fees.
Tonga had not
paid TP$50 million to Hawaiki, he said.
“The
agreement was for Tonga to pay TP$6 million to the company and that’s it. The
Hawaiki won’t do anything for us,” the government spokeman said.
He said the only time Tonga would benefit from paying TP$6 million to Hawiki was if it used the back up cable. But Tonga must also pay the $40 million before it can connect to the Hawiki cable.
“But I can
tell you Tonga does not have that much money and no developing partner is
interested in funding that deal. They advised us against it,” he said
The main points
A TP$6 million contract payment
agreement between Tonga and a New Zealand company to give the kingdom a “golden
opportunity” to connect to a back up fibre internet cable has baffled
government authorities.
The government believed the deal
would not return any benefit to the country.
For more information
Tongan team in NZ to inquire after alleged “unrealistic” $50 million
cable deal signed by former government
A dispute
between Tongan Rugby Union and a French media company has ended in the High
Court in Dublin.
The Irish
court heard that the action over an agreement alleged to have been made in 2014
had been withdrawn.
French
company Team One Events claimed the Tongan sporting body had agreed to the use
of its image rights until the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The court
was told the dispute had serious implications for Tonga’s preparations for this
year’s Rugby World Cup.
Team One
said that under the contract it would get 30% commission on any income
generated from the exploitation of the image rights and that the Tonga Union
would get a minimum of US$300,000, half of which was paid up front after the
contract was signed.
The company
claimed that the Tongan Union was forbidden from entering into contracts with
third parties as Tonga’s match or tournament sponsors until after the 2015
World cup
Team One
claimed that in June 2014 Tonga put the name of a sponsor on their shirts
without Team One Events permission in a game against Samoa.
The company obtained
a French court order €143,000(TP$374,000) against the Tongan body.
According to
the Irish Examiner, Team One Events
tried to enforce the judgement through the Irish courts by obtaining an order
compelling rugby union’s world governing body, World Rugby Ltd, which is
registered in Ireland, to pay it money due to be paid to the Tongans.
However,
when it went to court this week, World Rugby said the matter had been withdrawn
by consent with Team One Events.
World Rugby
said no money had been paid to Team One
Events.
World Rugby
said it did not want any “copycat” applications to be made over grant
payments it makes to unions including Tonga’s.
The
main points
A dispute between Tongan Rugby Union
and a French media company has ended in the High Court in Dublin.
The Irish court heard that the action
over an agreement alleged to have been
made in 2014 had been withdrawn.
For
more information
French-based media company withdraw
legal action against Tonga ruby union
A court hearing
against Princess Pilolevu’s son-in-law, who is facing drugs charges, has been
adjourned.
Sione Filipe Jnr,
34, who is 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 is
understood the case has been held over until May 27.
Filipe Jnr 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 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.
Facebook
As we reported
previously, Frederica took to Facebook to defend her husband after Kanivanews broke the story.
Kaniva news stands by its story, which simply reported that Filipe Jnr had been arrested and charged with the illegal importation of drugs.
The validity of
those charges is entirely a matter for the court.
The main points
New
details have emerged of the drug related charges against a son-in-law of
Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita have emerged,
Sione
Filipe Jr, 34, who is facing counts of illicit drug, firearm and ammunition
charges was scheduled to appear in court on April 29.
Filipe
Jr was charged after Quarantine Officers at Fua’amotu International Airport
intercepted 242.22 grams of cannabis seeds on March 30.
For more information
Princess Pilolevu’s son-in-law arrested for alleged
importation of illicit drugs as Police arrest 17 others in separate incidents
