After a lengthy legal process and a previous public statement that he would fight for his innocence, former league superstar Manu Vatuvei has admitted to importing meth.
The Warriors and Kiwis great was initially charged three counts of importing methamphetamine, three charges of possessing the drug for supply, and a charge of supplying.
But they will be withdrawn at sentencing, the Crown says, and have been replaced by a new single amended charge of importing meth.
He pleaded guilty to that charge today.
Vatuvei has previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges.
He was first charged in November 2019 and launched legal battles to keep his name secret.
After a District Court judge turned down continued suppression, he headed for the High Court.
That court also declined to continue suppression.
Vatuvei outed himself on social media in early May as the time allowed ended for a further appeal.
He had been due to stand trial.
But he entered a guilty plea to the new replacement charge at an arraignment hearing at the Manukau District Court today.
Police said after laying the first charge that there had been a joint Police and Customs operation delving into the supply of methamphetamine.
A search warrant was launched at a Papatoetoe address.
Vatuvei will be sentenced in December.
After Wednesday morning’s hearing, the court authorised the release of the summary of facts against Vatuvei.
Vatuvei’s brother, Lopini Mafi, also last month pleaded guilty to a representative charge of importing methamphetamine.
The summary outlines how a joint Police and Customs operation found a number of packages containing meth that were brought into the country via mail.
Delivery was coordinated through track and trace, and packages were sent from Mexico, India, Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Phone data showed Lopini Mafi, for some of the imports, were arranged through a contact code-named “Big Boss” or “Big Brother”.
His phone also showed videos and photos of him opening two of the imports which weren’t intercepted, which were sent back to Big Boss via Whatsapp.
Manu Vatuvei, on instruction from his brother, helped with the importing arrangements.
Police say in Operation Clydesdale that between 1 July 2019 and 29 November 2019 a total of 2.056kg of meth was imported across four separate intercepted importations.
But there were also other imports that weren’t intercepted, meaning the total amount of P brought into the country remains unknown.
The summary says evidence shows Vatuvei was involved in one intercepted import totalling 487.5 grams, and another import not intercepted.
On 28 November 2019, a controlled delivery was made to a Papatoetoe address.
Customs had taken away most of the meth placed in handles on skipping ropes, replacing all but 5 grams of the P with a placebo.
They also put a chemical marking powder on the delivery which meant anyone handling it would likely have spores transferred onto their clothing and skin.
Both Vatuvei and his brother were at an address when a search warrant was launched.
Police found digital scales, a money counter, a box with empty bags and other bags with white residue, and the remnants of white powder on the bed sheet.
They also found a Pyrex dish with a white powdery residue.
Clothing seized from Vatuvei after his arrest had areas of orange fluorescence which indicated the presence of spores from the chemical marking powder put in place by Customs.
The maximum penalty for importing methamphetamine is a life sentence.
The Warriors and Kiwi great scored a club-record 152 tries in 226 appearances for the Warriors.
He scored 22 tries for the Kiwis in 29 Tests.
Affectionately known as the “Beast”, Vatuvei is one of the most decorated players in Kiwis history.
He then turned to a career in real estate.
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