Meth

In the High Court in Auckland this morning, Tevita Sitanilei Kulu was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment and Tevita Matangi Fangupo to 17 years.

The pair sneaked meth in from California over a period of seven months, between June 2017 and January 2018.

Both were found guilty of numerous charges of importing meth, as well as conspiring and attempting to import the drug.

They pleaded guilty for firearm offences.

Justice Downs said that all the offending was reasonably sophisticated and had a pattern.

A 34 year old man has been taken into custody over the seizure of 10.38grams of methamphetamines.

The drugs were allegedly packed and ready for sale today.

A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence in Hofoa at around 5:30am.

Police also seized cash, electronic devices and Tongan fine mats.

A/CSP Siosifa Latu, Acting Commander at the Central Police Station said, “As demonstrated by this arrest, we continue to focus on capturing and prosecuting those responsible for the harm these destructive drugs cause to youths, families and our community.”

The suspect was arrested Tuesday by the Police Drug Taskforce with the assistance of Customs and Tonga Airport Limited.

The drugs were in the suspect’s possession when police arrested him from inside the departure transit area.

Cash in different currencies with approximate value of TOP$10,000 was also seized.

Police said it is clear that the suspect intended to smuggle the drugs out from Tonga to New Zealand.