By Linny Folau
A man caught with methamphetamine, cannabis and ammunition after fleeing police in Halaleva will spend nearly two years behind bars, with Tonga's Chief Justice warning that drug dealers can expect “stern custodial sentences.”
Vainikolo Selu is serving one year and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts including supply and possession of illicit drugs, possession of ammunition without a licence, and possession of drug utensils.
He was sentenced on 4 February by Lord Chief Justice Bishop in the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.
Police received reliable information on 1 July 2025 that Selu was driving around Halaleva selling illicit drugs. Officers from the Drugs Enforcement Unit located him seated in the back of a vehicle in the area. When the vehicle was stopped, he exited carrying a black Nike bag and walked towards his residence.
When Sgt Fifita identified himself and instructed him to stop, Selu fled, discarding the bag during the pursuit. He was later apprehended and detained. A search revealed a smoking pipe and $1,240 pa’anga in cash on his person. The discarded bag contained numerous small packs with white substances, empty packs, SIM cards and other items consistent with drug supply.
Police then searched his residence and located further quantities of cannabis and methamphetamine, along with extensive utensils and packaging materials. They also found three .22 calibre bullets for which he held no licence.
Scientific analysis confirmed the substances seized were methamphetamine and cannabis. In total, police recovered 1.73 grams of methamphetamine and 18.72 grams of cannabis, along with one weighing scale, one straw, 120 empty packs and four smoking pipes. Throughout the investigation, Selu exercised his right to remain silent.
In sentencing, the Lord Chief Justice said:
“This offending is serious and entrenched. Methamphetamine continues to cause widespread harm within Tonga, and this Court reiterates that those involved in its supply can expect stern custodial sentences. Your offending was not opportunistic. It involved preparation, packaging, and distribution, together with the possession of ammunition, which significantly aggravates the overall criminality.”
Selu is not a first-time offender. His criminal history includes housebreaking, theft, assault and domestic violence. He committed the present offending while serving a suspended sentence for possession of illicit drugs and utensils.
The Crown submitted that aggravating factors included the ongoing prevalence of illicit drugs in Tonga, his non-cooperation with police, his prior drug-related convictions and the fact he was serving a suspended sentence at the time of his arrest.
Addressing his history and prospects of rehabilitation, the judge stated:
“The defendant also committed the present offending while subject to a suspended sentence for similar conduct. That history significantly undermines your rehabilitative prospects and limits the extent to which this Court can extend leniency. While I acknowledge your early guilty plea and personal circumstances, including your family responsibilities, these factors cannot outweigh the need for denunciation, deterrence, and the protection of the community. In line with the authorities cited, a custodial sentence is inevitable.”
On the methamphetamine supply charge, the Lord Chief Justice said:
“The offence of supplying methamphetamine is inherently serious...the presence of packaging materials, scales, significant cash, and the manner in which the drugs were carried strongly indicate commercial dealing rather than personal use...”
He adopted a starting point of 24 months' imprisonment for Count 1 as the head sentence.
The Court recognised Selu’s early guilty plea. However, the judge said the weight of mitigation was reduced by his prior convictions, the fact the offending occurred while he was subject to a suspended sentence, and his refusal to cooperate with police.
Selu was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on the first count, with the remaining sentences to be served concurrently. A previously suspended six-month sentence was activated and ordered to be served consecutively.
The total sentence amounted to 24 months’ imprisonment, with the final three months suspended for two years on conditions. The sentence was backdated to 1 July 2025 to account for time spent in custody, leaving Selu to serve 21 months in prison.
The Court ordered that the seized cash be forfeited to the Crown, the drugs and utensils destroyed, and the three .22 calibre bullets forfeited to Tonga Police for training purposes.
The judge warned that any breach of the suspension conditions could see Selu returned to prison to serve the remaining term.
