Accused charged with meth possession goes free
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 - 11:18
Prosecutions for illicit drugs in Tonga may be in jeopardy, a judge has warned, after discharging a man charged with possession of methamphetamine, due to the prosecution's failure to admit analyst evidence, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on August 29. Hon. Mr Justice Cato said new legislation is urgently required in Tonga regarding analyst evidence of drug identity or there will be serious consequences for law enforcement and the health of Tongans.
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Legislators really should sit
Legislators really should sit down and do some serious lawmaking! In regards to illicit drugs, Government should firstly request the help of overseas medical or pharmaceutical experts to help our local pharmacists identify the illicit drugs and their components if our local pharmacists lack the skill. Only then could our lawmakers be able to identify the components of meth and legislate its prohibition! Meth can be a mixture of a number of products including chemicals used as household cleaning products. Now, how can police identify in court that a substance that they suspect as "meth" or ice if no Tongan laws exist to identify what meth is? The Crown solicitors and lawmakers should take the judge's warning very seriously!! Action should be taken asap to mend the loopholes in our law...delay would only lead to rampant and uncontrollable use!! Wake up lawmakers! Enough self-seeking politics and do some work! Now!