Accused in airport $2M meth seizure reports to Fasi court [1]
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 - 17:59. Updated on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 - 18:00.
Viliami Mangisi (59) who is charged in the seizure of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of around $2 million pa’anga in May earlier this year, had his case adjourned to January 2019 after appearing at the Fasi Magistrate's Court earlier this week.
The Tongan national was charged with possession after he was arrested with 1.9kg of the illicit drug in the departure lounge at Fua’amotu International Airport, on May 8.
The Magisrate’s Court office in Nuku’alofa confirmed today the accused, who remains on bail, had last appeared at the lower court in Fasi on Monday, December 10.
His case was adjourned to January 21, 2019.
At the same time, a co-accused Samuela Fonua who also appeared had his case adjourned too. He was the cleaner at the airport, who was arrested in relation to abetting this offence.
The Police Prosecutor said today that Mangisi, who has had his case adjourned numerous times, had been appearing at court when due, and his travel documents are with the court.
Police reported that the accused intended to smuggle the illicit drug to New Zealand before he was arrested by the Police Drug Taskforce assisted by Customs and Tonga Airports Ltd.
Cash in different currencies valued at around $10,000 was also seized.