Firearms and ammunition case in Court [1]
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 - 18:27
The case against Viliami Malolo Talivakaola (44), who is charged with the importation of prohibited firearms and ammunition allegedly smuggled through in a shipment from the United States, was heard this week at the Supreme Court.
Hon. Mr Justice Niu is expected to deliver a verdict on August 28.
The accused from Vava’u pleaded not guilty to importing the prohibited goods, which included one .22 semi-automatic rifle, one .12 shotgun pump action and 1,500 ammunition, namely .22 Remington packed in three boxes.
The Crown in its opening submission to the Court said on July 3, 2019 Police and Customs Officers were inspecting a 4x4 foot cargo box, which belonged to the accused, at the S.F. Oceania Ltd., a cargo agent's warehouse at Ma’ufanga.
The inspection followed after Detective Dog Gemma marked the accused's box at the warehouse.
Prior to the inspection, Police and Customs officers received a report from the Police in Vava’u to inspect the accused’s box.
The box was shipped from the United States by S.F. Oceania Ltd. to arrive at Tongatapu and then be transferred to Vava’u, its approved destination.
Police found firearms and ammunition inside the accused’s box during their search. The accused was later arrested.
The Crown also submitted that the accused's defence that he had a license to import a .22 firearm and 600 x .22 ammunition, was not a defence in this case.