By 1news.co.nz and is republished with permission
A multi-million dollar tax-dodge has earned an Auckland businessman a jail sentence after he was busted smuggling more than 6000 kilograms of loose tobacco into the country from Tonga.
An Auckland businessman has been sentenced to jail today after his role in smuggling nearly six tonnes of tobacco and evading more than $10 million in taxes.
Mosese Vakapuna, 60, was sentenced at the Auckland District Court to 28 months’ imprisonment on 23 charges relating to “defrauding the revenue of Customs,” New Zealand Customs said in a statement today.
Vakapuna’s business, JM Store, was also fined $2300.
Customs discovered the 5982kg of loose tobacco in various shipments sent from Tonga to New Zealand.
The investigation began after Customs sized “tapaka” or “Tongan chop” in October 2022. It located 558kg of loose tobacco among items such as kava powder and taro products.
Customs previously seized 510kg of tobacco hidden among food items in November 2021. That shipment was intended for JM Store.
Customs identified a total of 23 imports to the company over a 21 month period.
Vakapuna arrived in New Zealand from Tonga on November 4 2022 and was arrested upon arrival. The investigation found the tobacco was intended to be sold within New Zealand, “particularly amongst Pasifika communities”.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said that while it is not illegal to import tobacco in commercial quantities, “businesses and individuals need to declare it correctly, have the relevant import permits, and are liable to pay the taxes”.
Vakapuna evaded $10,300,945 in import and excise fees, Customs said.
