Firearms and ammunition seized in Tongatapu.<\/p>\n
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 SupremeCourt.<\/p>\n
Hon. Mr Justice Niu is expected to deliver a verdict on August28.<\/p>\n
The accused from Vavau 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 threeboxes.<\/p>\n
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 atMaufanga.<\/p>\n
The inspection followed after Detective Dog Gemma marked the accused's box at thewarehouse.<\/p>\n
Prior to the inspection, Police and Customs officers received a report from the Police in Vavau to inspect the accusedsbox.<\/p>\n
The box was shipped from the United States by S.F. Oceania Ltd. to arrive at Tongatapu and then be transferred to Vavau, its approveddestination.<\/p>\n
Police found firearms and ammunition inside the accuseds box during their search. The accused was laterarrested.<\/p>\n
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 thiscase.<\/p>\n
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Firearms and ammunition case in Court | Matangitonga - Matangi Tonga<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Firearms and ammunition seized in Tongatapu. 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 SupremeCourt. Hon Continue reading