Senior Customs Officer in meth seizure remains in custody [1]
Friday, July 12, 2019 - 12:00. Updated on Friday, July 12, 2019 - 15:01.
A bail hearing for Paula Naitoko (59) the Senior Customs Officer charged in a major seizure of illicit drugs in April at the Queen Salote Wharf, had his case adjourned to August 9 in a court appearance this morning.
The accused who had applied for bail, opposed by the Crown, appeared before Hon. Mr Justice Cato at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa on July 12.
The Crown Prosecutor Tevita 'Aho informed the judge that the defense counsel Sifa Tu'utafaiva had advised he was sick unable to appear today, but they had agreed for the bail hearing to be adjourned to a date after July 29.
July 29 is the date when the accused’s papers/case is likely to be committed to the Supreme Court for trial.
The judge then adjourned the bail hearing to August 9. In the meantime, the accused remains detained in police custody.
Naitoko has been in police custody since April, after the seizure of the illicit drugs, alleged to include 6.7 kilograms of methamphetamine at the wharf.
His bail is in the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court after the Crown filed for his detainment due to ongoing police investigations.
Seizure
On April 23, Police Drug Enforcement Taskforce had estimated the seizure to have a street value of over $6 million pa’anga.
Tonga Customs Officers seized 6.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 625.29 grams of cannabis and 107.29 grams of cannabis oil, which were allegedly smuggled into Tonga in a shipment from the United States.
Also found were illegal firearms, an M4 assault rifle, two Glock pistols and a handgun with relevant ammunition.
The accused was arrested and charged with nine counts that included engaging with others to import illicit drugs and abetting the importation of illegal firearms and ammunition.