Man gets 24 years for biggest meth importation

The abandoned boat on Ninety Mile Beach bought by Malachi Tuilotolava and others that led to the record-breaking methamphetamine haul of 501kg. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A foreigner who supervised the arrival and unloading of 501kg of methamphetamine on Ninety Mile Beach - the largest importation of the drug to New Zealand - has been jailed for 24 years.

Malachi Tuilotolava, 26, an Australian national of Tongan heritage, pleaded guilty in July to one charge of importing meth and another of participating in an organised criminal group. He appeared for sentencing in the High Court at Whangarei yesterday.

Justice Mathew Downs rejected a submission from the Crown that the nature and scale of Tuilotolava's involvement equated to a sentence of life imprisonment - the maximum term for meth dealing.

The judge, however, said Tuilotolava's offending was extremely serious. He helped fetch and unload half a tonne of meth.

He was the "trusted lieutenant" and second in the hierarchical structure of those involved in New Zealand, the court heard.

Jermiah Iusitini, 27, Ulakai Fakaosilea, 26, Stevie Cullen, 34, and another person who has name suppression have pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury.

Three others - Ka Yip Wan, 26, Amoki Matoto Fonua, 32, and another man who has permanent name suppression - have already been sent to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in the drug importation.

Wan was jailed for 23 years, Fonua 22 years and the unidentified man 12 years.

In court yesterday, Justice Downs said Tuilotolava and another person travelled in a hired campervan to Pukenui, north of Kaitaia, on May 23 last year in the expectation the meth would arrive on or about June 1 but it never did.

They returned to Auckland but came back to Northland on June 3 with a 9m Bayliner boat which they bought for $40,000 cash.

Justice Downs said Tuilotolava and five others attempted to launch the boat at Shipwreck Bay in Ahipara despite a local telling them it was unsuitable for rough sea conditions.

"Your group told the locals the purpose of the launch was to scatter the remains of relatives at sea. The ruse was accompanied by a brief ritual on the beach."

The boat was severely damaged. On June 11, Tuilotolava and three others bought a 9m boat in Auckland, paying $98,000 cash, and launched it off Ahipara beach that evening. They took it about 12km out to sea and returned to shore about 1am with 501kg of meth in 20kg bags.

Tuilotolava said he became involved in the offending through a friend who manipulated him and took advantage of his trust.

"You said there was no explicit talk of money but you believed you might have received some financial compensation once the job was completed," Justice Downs said.

He said Tuilotolava had a diploma in counselling and was assessed as intelligent, well-educated and thoughtful.

Justice Downs ordered that he serve a minimum period of 10 years in jail before he was eligible for parole.