A former Senior Customs Officer, Paula Naitoko (68), was sentenced on 21 October to six-years imprisonment for importing a substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, concealed in a box from the United States in 2019.
The last 12-months of the sentence was suspended for two-years on conditions, meaning he is serving five-years at Hu'atolitoli Prison.
In July this year, Hon. Mr Justice Niu convicted Naitoko on two counts of causing to import 6662 grams of methamphetamine found in a box by Customs on 19 April, 2019 at the Queen Salote Wharf in Ma'ufanga.
He was also guilty of causing to import prohibited goods without licenses, namely 1 semi-automatic rifle, 2 semi-automatic pistols and 39 bullets.
Justice Niu sentenced him on 21 October at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, since he was the presiding judge in his trial.
In a 13-page judgment, it stated that until he committed this offence in 2019, Naitoko had an unblemished record at the Customs Department, having served a total of some 36-years.
The Probation Officer, however pointed out that he continued to maintain that he did not commit these two offences.
“That meant that he is not remorseful for what he had done and is aggravated by the fact that he committed these offences in breach of the trust which was placed by Government upon him as a senior customs officer, whose primary duty is to prevent or to detect the commission of such offences.
“The goods imported are of very serious nature and amount and recommended a custodial sentence be imposed, but that part thereof be suspended on conditions.
“The Crown also stated that the role Naitoko played in this scheme to import these drugs, guns and bullets was critical, without which the scheme would not have worked.
"You committed a breach of the trust placed upon you as a senior customs officer of some 30-years' experience."
Justice Niu also agreed with both counsel that the appropriate sentence for both offences is imprisonment.
"Both offences are serious. Illicit drugs, especially a class A drug such as methamphetamine, are serious on their own. When connected with firearms, and ammunition, the illicit drug is much more serious, and vice versa.
“The firearm and ammunition become much more serious too because the firearms' purpose would have to be for the protection of the illicit drugs. Such protection would not be against damage by animals such as pigs, dogs or rats but against humans, meaning death or injury to humans.
“Penalty by way of fine is not appropriate for such serious offences. And it must not be perceived that a person with the ability to pay a substantial fine is thereby able to evade the appropriate penalty of imprisonment which must be imposed for such serious offences."
Naitoko was sentenced to six-years imprisonment with the last 12-months suspended for two-years, on conditions.
The illicit drugs were ordered to be destroyed by the police and the firearms and ammunitions forfeited to the Crown.
