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Three Asians jailed in Tonga for smuggling main ingredients of methamphetamine

By
Kalino Latu
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Two Chinese men and a male Taiwanese have been sentenced by Justice Charles Cato for importing about 2 kilograms or 2017.3 grams of pseudoephedrine to the manufacture of methamphetamine, or ‘P’.

Kevin Liu, 31, was jailed for five years and eight months, Shigin Lin, 32, was jailed for five years and four months while Xiu Ming Liu, 41, was jailed for 10 months for their involvement in smuggling of the illicit drugs, Taimi ‘O Tonga newspaper has reported.

This amount of pseudoephedrine had the potential to yield up to 442 grams or 663 grams of methamphetamine with a street value of around NZ$126,000 or NZ$355,000.

The trio were arrested after Customs intercepted a shipping container from New Zealand and packages sent from China, the paper reported.

The drugs had been hidden in boilers before they were sent from New Zealand, it said.

During a search of Xiu’s home, Customs officers found 62 grams of the ingredient in a refrigerator.

Police appeal for help after Halavuna bar attack in South Auckland

By
Kalino Latu
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Police are appealing for the public’s help to identify two suspects after two Tongan brothers were seriously injured outside Halavuna bar in south Auckland.

The victims were outside the bar before they were both assaulted by two men on August 24 at around 1am, Kakalu ‘O Tonga newspaper has reported.

The victims were taken to hospital after Police and Emergency Services arrived at the scene while at the same time the attackers disappeared and were still at large.

Police have scrutinised CCTV from across the road at East Tamaki, which they hope will help identify the suspects.

It is believed the suspects and the victims were inside the bar before the incident occurred.

It was not immediately clear whether or not the suspects lived in New Zealand or they had just arrived from Tonga, the paper said.

The paper alleged the attacks in Papatoetoe involved an axe.

Police investigation continues.

Prolific sex predator Latu Lavaki may have more victims

By
Kalino Latu
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SAN MATEO COUNTY (KRON) – After three decades, an accused prolific sexual predator is off the streets.

But now, some of the victims’ cases can’t be tried because it’s too late.

Police arrested Latu Lavaki earlier this year.

Investigators say he targeted victims in two Bay Area counties, and they believe there are more victims out there. And they want them to come forward.

There could be victims far and wide. The suspect is known to have ties to San Mateo County and Santa Clara County.

He also spent time in Utah while evading law enforcement. There are at least 4 known victims.

Authorities say Lavaki is a sexual predator and victimized many girls over the past few decades.

On Monday, the 62-year-old was convicted in superior court for an assault that happened in 2005. He was convicted of two counts of lewd acts with a minor under the age of 14.

Due to the number of current victims, prosecutors believe there are even more out there.

In the search for victims, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office has provided both Lavaki’s current mugshot, and the photo from his driver’s license, so people can recognize him at different stages in life.

Wilfredo Rodriguez says he’s seen the suspect in his Millbrae neighborhood. That is the same area the current victim is from.

If you’ve had any inappropriate contact with Lavaki or allowed him around your child or children, you’re urged to contact the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.

55 villages benefit from NZ$30.7 million Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project

By
Kalino Latu
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New Zealand High Commissioner HE Tiffany Babington and Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change and Communications (MEICECC) Minister Hon Poasi Tei marked the conclusion of the Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project on Wednesday 5 September 2018, three months ahead of schedule.

The goal of the NZ$30.7 million New Zealand-funded network upgrade project was to provide a modern and resilient electricity network, which would deliver reliable and safe electricity to households in rural Tongatapu.

This goal was successfully achieved with 55 villages benefiting from the project since 2011. Network faults decreased significantly and of the 11,450 upgraded connections, over 2,500 connections were to households with no previous access to electricity.

The Government of Tonga benefited from the Tongatapu Village Network Upgrade Project through increased network efficiency, reduced diesel consumption and the associated reduction in the cost of diesel imports. The upgraded network also proved more resilient to extreme weather conditions, following Cyclone Gita earlier this year, with less damage in villages upgraded.

The closing ceremony was hosted by Tonga Power Limited and held at Tupou College, the final community to receive benefits from the upgrade in rural Tongatapu.

The NZ$30.7 million Tonga Village Network Upgrade Project represents the largest component of New Zealand’s development assistance to Tonga and its biggest investment in Tonga’s energy sector and in the Pacific.

New Zealand will continue supporting Tonga to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the impacts of climate change through a NZ$11 million agreement with Government of Tonga for the first phase of the Nuku’alofa Network Upgrade Project.

Car flips over in Neiafu, no injuries reported

By
Kalino Latu
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There were no immediate reports of injuries on Monday after a car became overturned at Vaipua harbour in Neiafu.

Neiafu town officer Vava Lapota alleged the driver was a female teacher from Longomapu.

Initial indication points towards speed as contributing factor.

Police could not be reached for comment.

Pictures of pedestrian hit by vehicle in Havelu shared on social media

By
Kalino Latu
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Photos of Akosita Tau’alupe, 25, who was admitted to Vaiola hospital with serious injuries on September 9 have been shared online.

Pictures uploaded to Facebook on Monday showed Tau’alupe appeared to be in a critical condition.

Yesterday, her family uploaded more photos which appeared to show she was in stable condition.

Police have arrested a 22-year-old Ma’ufanga woman and charged her with reckless driving causing grievous bodily harm and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The incident occurred while Tau’alupe was walking on a roadside in Havelu at around 6am.

Unconfirmed reports claimed the driver allegedly argued with a friend before her vehicle hit the victim.

The accused remains in custody while Police investigation continues.

Ministry to re-start public finance committee

By
Philip Cass
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Tonga’s Ministry of Finance and National Planning plans to reactivate its public financial management steering committee.

The decision follows a public financial management symposium earlier this month.

The symposium reviewed progress on the implementation of the kingdom’s PFM roadmap  2014-2020.

The event was attended by more than 60 from Government Ministries, Parliament, the National Reserve Bank, public enterprises, faith-based and civil society organisations, media entities, regional institutions, and development partners.

Discussion focussed on how PFM can help the Government provide more efficient and effective services to the public.

In his opening remarks, the Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, Andrew Ford, said public financial management was important for delivering public services efficiently and build public trust in government.

The symposium has also highlighted the need to re-institute a regional PFM forum, with Pacific institutions holding more regular meeting.

Arrest following Nualei road death

By
Kalino Latu
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Police have arrested a 29-year-old man from Kolonga following the death of a 52-year-old man from Nualei on September 8 at around 2am.

He had been charged with reckless driving causing death and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Piukala Laumanu was hit by the accused’s vehicle at Nualei while he was crossing the main road.

The victim reportedly died at the scene.

One person dead after head-on car crash in West Auckand

By
Kaniva Staff
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Emergency services are in attendance at a serious crash on Waitakere Road that occurred just after 4pm today.

Two vehicles are involved and sadly one person has died at the scene.

Another person has received moderate injuries and the road is blocked in both directions.

Diversions are in place at the intersection of Hunter and Waitakere Roads and Waitakere and Bethells Roads.

Police advise motorists to avoid the area if possible.

The Serious Crash Unit will investigate.

Boy claims men pointed gun at him near school in Tongatapu, reports say

By
Kalino Latu
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A young male student at Tonga Side School believed he had a gun pulled on him by two men as he walked by a bush area between his school and Tonga High School, Radio 87.5 has reported this morning.

The radio did not release details of the student, the suspects or the incident.

It also uploaded a video to Facebook which featured its director Katalina Tohi at the scene reporting live on air.

A bulldozer is seen in the video plouging and clearing the bush.

A man appeared on the video and said he has a son at Tonga High School and after he found out about the incident from the radio he travelled from Niutoua to Nuku’alofa to check and pick him up.

The broadcaster said a Tongan woman in the United States listened to the report this morning and contacted her daughter in Tonga to help.

Another man by the name Tevita Hafoka reportedly offered to help after he heard the report.

It appeared these assistance from the public included hiring a bulldozer to clear up the area where the incident occurred.

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