Sione Filipe Jr and a co-accused pleaded not guilty to illicit drug charges, when they appeared for the first time at the Supreme Court on February 6.

Filipe and Siosiua Sekona were arraigned before Hon. Mr Justice Cato.

Filipe is charged with four counts, including importation of illicit drugs, possession of illicit drugs, possession of an arm without a license and possession of ammunition without a license. 

He pleaded not guilty to all charges. 

Sekona, who is charged with one count of engaging with someone to import illicit drugs, pleaded not guilty.

Both accused elected to be tried by judge alone.

The judge ordered for the case to be adjourned to February 26 for a call over to fix a trial date this year.

Seizure

Tonga Police had reported that Filipe was being charged relating to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport, in March last year.

A search warrant was executed at his home in Tofoa, where officers allegedly seized over 85 grams of cannabis liquid along with an illegal firearm and ammunition.

Sekona was also charged in relation to the illicit drugs.