Accused in airport $2 million meth seizure put onto “no fly” list [1]
Monday, March 18, 2019 - 17:26
A Supreme Court judge expressed concern that accused Meth mule Viliami Mangisi (59), was granted bail by a lower court, after he was late for his first appearance at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa this morning. The judge issued a warrant for Mangisi's arrest shortly before he turned up to face charges in relation to the seizure of 1.9 kilos of meth at Fua'amotu Airport departure lounge last year.
His case was first called at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa today
The accused accompanied by his counsel Sifa Tu’utafaiva turned up late, narrowly avoiding arrest.
The Court heard this Tongan man who holds an American passport, currently lives in Tatakamotonga in the eastern district of Tongatapu.
He is charged in relation to the seizure of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of around $2 million pa’anga, which it is alleged he tried to export from Tonga to New Zealand. The meth found in his possession was 1.9kg when he was arrested in the departure lounge at Fua’amotu International Airport on May 8, 2018.
Case
Hon. Mr Justice Cato then expressed his concern as to why the accused was granted bail in the first place at the Magistrate’s Court, since this was a very serious offence, and the accused has no affiliation in Tonga and has the incentive to flee.
Tu’utafaiva said that his client had abided by his bail conditions since being granted bail late last year.
New bail conditions
Mr Justice Cato imposed stricter bail conditions and warned if there is to be any slightest problem, the accused's bail will be revoked and he will be put in jail.
The new bail conditions included that the accused is to report to the Mu’a Police station four times a week, his passport which has been surrendered to Tonga Police is to be submitted to the Supreme Court, he is be placed on a “no fly” list and is not to leave Tongatapu.
It was ordered that a police officer call him every weekend on his number. In addition, he is not to contact his co-accused, who resides also in Tatakamotonga.
The case was then adjourned to April 1 for the Crown to file the indictments.
Airport worker
Meanwhile, his co-accused Samuela Fonua, who was present when their case was called, was reported to have been cleaner at the airport.
He is charged in relation to abetting this offence. He too is out on bail granted by the Magistrate's Court.
The judge ordered he too be put on the “no fly” list and is to report to the Mu’a Police station, is not to contact Mangisi or Crown witnesses, among others.
His case was also adjourned to April 1.
Parliamentary candidate
Vilami Mangisi is known in Tongatapu after running for parliament unsuccessfully. He registered under the name “Viliami Kini Tukia Mangisi” as a candidate for Tongatapu 5 constituency in the 2017 and 2014 General Elections, and also stood for a By-election in 2005.