Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years for Importing 50kg of Meth

A man has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for his role in an operation that imported nearly 50 kilograms of methamphetamine into New Zealand. Va’a Va’a, who faced significant financial challenges, had hoped to earn $100,000 for his involvement but instead received a lengthy prison term.

The Manukau District Court sentenced Va’a to 11 years and three months after he pleaded guilty to a single charge of importing methamphetamine. The court noted that Va’a’s participation in the scheme was not particularly sophisticated. Authorities found the drugs concealed in boxes of vacuum sealing equipment, highlighting the operational aspects of the importation.

Va’a used a Customs “client code,” which is typically issued to commercial importers, to facilitate the clearance of the shipments. He communicated with both Customs and a logistics company about the consignments. One notable text message indicated his eagerness to be home to receive the shipments: “Just want to make sure I’m home to catch it.” This message was among the few remaining on his phone when law enforcement apprehended him, as he had deleted other communications, including messages related to a figure known only as Pako Brendo.

The court was informed that Va’a had previously operated a business that failed around two years prior to the importation, which contributed to his financial distress. He faced “cultural pressure” to provide for his family, which added to his motivations for participating in the drug trafficking scheme. Va’a was initially charged in August 2023 and entered a guilty plea in January 2025.

In May 2025, he was sentenced and subsequently appealed the length of his prison term. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, stating that the motivations behind his actions were driven by financial gain. The justices acknowledged that while the amount he expected to receive was modest compared to the overall profit from the drug importation, it was still significant given his circumstances.

In a letter submitted to the court, Va’a expressed deep remorse for his actions, stating that he felt he had let down his family. He also recognized the detrimental impact of methamphetamine use on the Pacific Island community. “I am disappointed, disgusted and ashamed [of] my actions,” he wrote. Va’a noted that his family had severed ties with him following his conviction, and the outcome would negatively affect his aspirations to relocate his family to Australia for a better life.

Despite his claims of remorse, the sentencing judge concluded that his expressions of regret were not genuine. The Court of Appeal concurred, indicating that the remorse he demonstrated was primarily focused on his personal circumstances rather than the broader implications of his actions. The court stated, “It came very late and only when he finally realised the gravity of the offending and the impact of his incarceration on his family.”

While Va’a operated under the guidance of Pako Brendo, the court emphasized that he played an active role in the drug importation process. His responsibilities included having the shipments sent directly to him, coordinating with the logistics company, and utilizing his Customs code to monitor shipment progress. The court noted that he would likely have participated in unpacking the vacuum sealers if not for the intervention of law enforcement.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking and the broader societal impacts of methamphetamine.