Police Constable charged over controlled drugs [1]
Thursday, March 1, 2012 - 21:49. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
A preliminary inquiry of a police constable charged in relation to the importation and possession of controlled drugs, was adjourned to March 7, at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court.
Valeliano Manu in his 30's from Ma'ufanga is charged with allegedly importing and possessing Contact NT drugs in 2011, one of the main ingredients of methamphetamine, prohibited under Tonga's Illicit Drugs Act.
He appeared before Magistrate Similoni Tu'akalau on February 29 for the start of the preliminary inquiry at the lower court.
But the case was adjourned after Crown Prosecutor Joan Puloka asked that the inquiry be adjourned to April 10 so they could complete their files and also since the accused is charged with other co-accused.
Denial
This submission was strongly objected to by defendant's counsel Sifa Tu'utafaiva who said that this case hae been long adjourned since last year when the arrest was made.
He submitted to the Magistrate to dismiss the charges against his client because he was not satisfied with the reason of another adjournment. If the Crown completed their work by then, he said to let them resubmit the charges, because his client's reputation had been damaged.
The defendant strongly denies committing the allegations against him.
The prosecutor informed the magistrate that the delay was due to a request from the Police Crime Unit to be given time complete their work.
Magistrate Similoni ordered that the case be adjourned to March 7 in his chambers, and ordered counsels to be present so they could decide on how to proceed with the case.
The defendant is charged together with other co-accused who are Asians.