Sione Molisi: Undercover cop busts Logan charity worker with ‘dangerous’ firearms

NAMED: A court has heard how a Logan ‘community leader’ was implicated in the possession of ‘very serious’ firearms.

A charity worker and avid churchgoer was busted in possession of “very dangerous” illegal firearms in an undercover police operation at Logan, the Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard on Tuesday.

Sione Molisi, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a category D, H or R weapon.

The court heard Molisi was in “momentary constructive possession” of the firearms during a transaction with an undercover police officer at Logan on May 2, 2019.

Police prosecutor sergeant Kellie Cullen said the seriousness of the type of firearm and the circumstances of the sale meant Molisi presented a clear danger to the Queensland community.

“Gun laws are designed to keep Australians safe from gun violence,” Sgt Cullen said.

“A message needs to be sent to the community against engaging in this sort of behaviour.”

Defence counsel Ashkan Tai from Ashkan Tai Lawyers told the court the facts of the case could lead a person to picture “a monster involved in organised crime”.

He said that contrasted with the glowing references from members of the community, who painted Molisi as a mentor for young people at his church and a public space co-ordinator, who assisted homeless people in finding emergency accommodation.

The Magistrate questioned how a “community leader” and “role model” came to plead guilty to such serious charges.

“Why would a person who is apparently doing so much good in the community tie himself up with people involved in drugs and dealing illegal firearms?” he said.

Molisi was not charged with any drug offences.

The court heard Molisi became involved through lifelong friendships and was “peripheral” to the arms deal that occurred.

“He should have gotten up and left when the firearms came up and the conversation occurred, but he stayed and here we are,” Mr Tai said.

Molisi was fined $2500 and placed on a 12 month $2500 good behaviour bond.

No convictions were recorded.