A New Zealand national and a Samoan national have been
charged by Samoa Police in relation to the alleged shooting
murder of an Australian citizen and suspected gangleader in
Vietnam in May.
In a joint statement, Samoa Police and
the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said the two men, aged
31 and 33 years old, were charged with conspiracy to murder
on 10 September. Under Samoa’s Crimes Act, the offence
carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The
two men appeared before a Samoan court on Wednesday and were
granted conditional bail, the statement said.
Joseph
Vaa, 27, admitted on Vietnamese television to gunning
down suspected ‘Coconut Cartel’ ringleader Lorenzo Lemalu
Tovia, outside a restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City on 21
May, while his associate, Steve Tofa, 23, then confessed to
being his accomplice in the shooting.
“An
investigation by international law enforcement authorities
began following the death of an Australian citizen and
serious injuries sustained by a second Australian citizen in
a shooting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on 21 May, 2026,”
the joint police statement said.
“Vietnamese
authorities arrested two Samoan nationals, aged 22 and 26,
on 24 May, 2026, over their alleged roles in the
shooting.
“On 27 May, 2026, Samoa Police first
arrested and charged the 31-year-old in Samoa with
misleading police and corruption offences as part of their
investigation into the alleged murder. He was arrested while
attempting to leave the country.
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The statement said
the AFP launched an investigation into the alleged murder to
support international law enforcement authorities and
identify any further individuals involved.
The AFP
assisted the Samoa Police through the execution of a search
warrant, financial inquiries, witness interviews and a
forensic review of electronic material.
“These AFP
activities, and further inquiries undertaken by Samoa
Police, led to an additional charge of conspiracy to murder
laid against the New Zealand man and 33-year-old Samoan
national.”
“Samoa Police will allege these men
conspired with the Samoan men arrested in Vietnam to carry
out the alleged murder in Vietnam,” the joint statment
said.
AFP acting commander Pacific Greg Davis said the
charges reflected the strength of international law
enforcement cooperation across the Pacific and broader
region.
“Organised crime does not respect national
boundaries, so law enforcement agencies must work together
to combat them,” he said.
“Criminal networks rely on
international connections to facilitate serious offending,
which is why regional partnerships are critical to
disrupting and dismantling them.
“The Pacific remains
a strong and united front against transnational organised
crime, and the AFP is proud to work alongside our law
enforcement partners to protect communities and pursue those
who seek to cause
harm.”
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