Suspended Senior Customs Officer guilty in huge meth importation [1]
Friday, July 29, 2022 - 17:45. Updated on Friday, July 29, 2022 - 18:23.
By LinnyFolau
A suspended Senior Customs Officer Paula Naitoko (62) was found guilty today of importing a substantial amount of methamphetamine and firearms, concealed in a box from the United States in 2019.
Hon. Mr Justice Niu convicted him on two counts of causing to import 6662 grams of methamphetamine found in the box by customs on 19 April, 2019 at the Queen Salote Wharf in Ma'ufanga.
He was also found guilty of causing to import prohibited goods, namely firearms without licenses, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
The fiearms consisted of one kaiser defence Mod KRS semi-automatic rifle; one glock 19 semi-automatic pistol, one taurus 709 semi-automatic pistol, one springfield semi-automatic pistol and 39 ammunition.
The Crown charges counts 1 and 2 in the alternative, that is if the accused is convicted of one, he is acquitted of the other.
Proven
After hearing the evidence in a trial in April, the judge in his verdict was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused, had knowledge of the illicit drugs, firearms and ammunition which were found in that box.
"He himself tried to get that box released from Customs when he had no legitimate connection with it or its contents in any way whatsoever."
The judge said the accused had committed the offence of causing to import.
“If he had provided to 'Aleki Mafile'o his own name, Paula Naitoko, as the consignee of the box, he would clearly have been guilty of importing the box. But in this case, he agreed to provide and he provided to Mafile'o the name of a person who was not consulted and who had not consented, and who had no knowledge of it whatsoever, but which enabled the box to processed through Customs in Tonga. He thereby caused the box to be imported into Tonga,” he said.
At the same time, the amount and quantity of the methamphetamine shipped was substantial.
"When I consider that that drug is sold on the street in grams, 6662 grams of methamphetamine was a huge shipment."
The judge said section 3, as now amended, provides that if the amount imported is less than 1 gram the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three-years or to both.
If the amount is 1 gram or more, the offender is liable to a fine not exceeding $1,000,000 or to imprisonment not exceeding life. If the amount is 28 grams or more, the offender is liable to life imprisonment, he said.
The accused was suspended from work following his charges in this case. He remains on bail for sentencing on 23 September.