23 Nov 2012

Tongan jailed in Auckland over drug deal that never was

3:53 pm on 23 November 2012

A former Tongan rugby team manager has been jailed for two years and four months by the High Court in Auckland for his part in a multi-million dollar drug deal that turned out to be an elaborate hoax.

Fairfax reports Angus Naupoto was sentenced for conspiracy to supply methamphetamine after he had pleaded guilty to the charge in October.

Naupoto came under police surveillance in July last year, suspected of attempting to import more than 100kg of methamphetamine from Tonga.

The charge related to activities between June and August 2011.

It turned out the methamphetamine did not exist but Naupoto was arrested for his part in trying to secure a massive amount of the class A drug.

Justice Sarah Katz told the court Naupoto was held in high regard in Tonga but that methamphetamine was a scourge on society and the court could not be blind to its effects.