He was deported to Tonga in 2022 because of a significant criminal history that included weapons offences and drug trafficking.<\/p>\n
Eneasi Taumoefolau was deported from Australia to Tonga, where he is now serving a life sentence.<\/p>\n
He has since been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a Tongan prison for drug dealing.<\/p>\n
Taumoefolau\u2019s story was recently highlighted again in a documentary in which an Australian news agency travelled to the island kingdom to interview him in prison. The documentary was focused on the increasing impact and consequences of illicit drugs in the Pacific region.<\/p>\n
The Kele\u2019a Voice journalist included a mention of the documentary in a news bulletin that day. After it aired, the topic was of particular interest to listeners taking part in the radio talk-back that followed, with many expressing their concerns about drug trafficking and gang influences in Tonga.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe perpetrator threatened the journalist with the pistol and warned her not to run any more news on Taumoefolau and the Comancheros, before exiting the office and leaving in a waiting vehicle,\u201d Kele\u2019a management said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Resilient\u2019 young journalist back to work<\/p>\n
Kele\u2019a editor and manager Teisa Cokanasiga said this was the most serious threat against a journalist or a member of the media in Tonga in a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is quite new for us and very serious. This is not just a stand against our media organisation, but the whole of the media in Tonga.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are appealing to the public \u2013 Tonga is a small country \u2013 if they do have information that might assist the police, reach out to the police.\u201d<\/p>\n
She told the Herald the journalist involved was back at work and \u201cdoing what she does best\u201d. Cokanasiga said she could not go into specific details, but praised the woman for keeping a cool head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just grateful that she was able to handle it in the way she did and she was able to get out of it. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s very resilient, such a strong girl. But at the same time, she\u2019s being very careful and I\u2019m sure all the other journalists are taking this on seriously \u2013 and realising that these are the risks that they\u2019re facing when carrying out their duties.\u201d<\/p>\n
She also called on the Tongan public to look out for members of the media.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur journalists are doing their job, trying to bring information… and issues that are controversial that the people and the public need to hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook out for us so we can continue to carry on our duties as journalists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tonga Police has been approached for comment.<\/p>\n