A Police Magistrate has denied bail for Sione Filipe Jr who was charged with his second drug offense in three months.
The 35-year-old has been kept in custody after an alleged breach of bail conditions.
He is expected to reappear in court tomorrow July 30 for another bail hearing.
His counsel strongly opposed his further detainment. He said “that the evidence against his client is weak and there is no reason for police to further detain him.”
Meanwhile, the police officer accused of allegedly receiving bribery from Filipe was released on bail today, July 29.
Fanguna Alalea of Tu’atākilangi was released on strict bail conditions which included providing two surety bonds of TP$2,000, he has been forced to surrender his passport, and he has also been placed on the no fly list.
As Kaniva news reported, Filipe, a son-in-law of Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita’s has been arrested for the second time within the past three months after authorities seized illicit drugs.
A co-accused of Filipe, Siua Sēkona has been also charged along with him in charges relating to the seizure of 242 grams of cannabis seeds brought into Tonga, at Fua’amotu International Airport in March.
As Kaniva news reported previously after Filipe’s first arrest, he was facing counts of illicit drug importation as well as firearms and ammunition charges, was scheduled to appear in Fasi Magistrate’s court on Monday, April 29.
He had been charged with the unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, possession of firearms and ammunition without a license and making a false declaration on arrival card.
