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. Mr Justice Niu is expected to deliver a verdict on August28.

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.

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.

The inspection followed after Detective Dog Gemma marked the accused's box at thewarehouse.

Prior to the inspection, Police and Customs officers received a report from the Police in Vavau to inspect the accusedsbox.

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.

Police found firearms and ammunition inside the accuseds box during their search. The accused was laterarrested.

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.

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Firearms and ammunition case in Court | Matangitonga - Matangi Tonga