By Linny Folau
Mekiloni Fotu Aso (39) is serving one year in prison for counts that included the cultivation of 63 cannabis plants weighing 427.95 grams and possession of 266.08 grams of cannabis seized at his home in Fua’amotu last year.
Lord Chief Justice Bishop sentenced him on 21 January at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. This was after he pleaded guilty in November last year to three counts of cultivation, possession of 266.08 grams of cannabis and unlawful possession of utensils, including three bongs, one smoking pipe and two straws used for smoking illicit drugs.
In light of his guilty pleas, the Crown discharged another count that he had pleaded not guilty to.
The court heard that Police conducted a search of the defendant's home on 14 July, 2025 in Fua’amotu at about 6:30am having received reliable information that cannabis and methamphetamine were being stored at his residence.
As a result of that search, several cannabis plants were uprooted, green leaves found in various locations in the residence and also utensils.
“You admitted to ownership of all these items and stated that you took care of the cannabis plants. In your case, it is clear that your role was that of a supplier and this must be marked by a term of imprisonment to denunciate such behaviour and to emphasize the seriousness of your offending in distributing and selling a Class B illicit drug within the community.”
The defendant is married and has six children ranging from six months old to 15 years. He was working as a carpenter at his older brother’s construction limited, and had a part-time plumbing contract. He was the sole breadwinner of his family providing through his work as a carpenter.
"As..this was his first offence as he had no previous convictions and he did plead guilty together with his cooperation with the Police in this matter, I suspend the final six months of his sentence for two years on conditions."
The Lord Chief Justice then sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment with the final six months suspended for two years, on conditions. This means he is serving 12 months in prison,
His conditions includes not committing any offence punishable by imprisonment, must complete a course at the direction of the Probation Office for Drug and Alcohol Awareness within 12 months, must live where directed by the Probation Officer and will be placed under probation for the entire period of his suspended sentence of two years.
The illicit drugs and utensils were ordered to be destroyed.
With regard to the source of the cash seized, $390 pa’anga and having considered that Aso has a wife and six children to support, the judge ordered that this be returned by way Aso's wife.
