By Linny Folau
Repeat offender Sati’o Matakaiongo (43) is serving 18 months imprisonment for possession of 43.07 grams of cannabis seized in Popua. His 23 year old co-accused received a suspended sentence in the Fasi Magistrate's Court..
He was sentenced in the Fasi Magistrate's Court this month, after being found guilty in a trial.
‘Ana Fifita, his co-accused pleaded guilty to the same charge and received a suspended sentence in the lower court.
During sentencing the Magistrate stated that on 2 April 2024, Police officers went to Popua to check on the curfews of Niu Fifita and ‘Otusia Kaufusi. Police found the defendant’s vehicle was parked there and he was alone.
A police officer investigated and saw that the accused was holding in a black plastic bag in his hand and trying to hide it. Another Police officer retrievedt the plastic bag and inside discovered one big pack that contained cannabis and other 75 small packs also containing cannabis.
Cash foundt included $85 in a wallet and $370 on the dashboard in the vehicle. There were dried green leaves on the back seat.
The Magistrate stated that this defendant was a repeat offender who was initially sentenced to a suspended sentence for charges that included housebreaking, theft and drugs. He pleaded not guilty knowing full well that the contents inside the plastic bag that he had in his hands was cannabis. This showed that he had not learned any lesson to reform his ways given the chances he was given from his previous offences.
The Magistrate sentenced him to serve 18 months imprisonment.
At the same time, his co-accused Fifita, a first time offender admitted to the offence and pleaded guilty to her charge in the Supreme Court. The Magistrate said this displayed honesty and that she was remorse for what she did.
She sentenced to 18 months imprisonment of which six months was deducted due to mitigating factors. Her remaining 12 months sentence was fully suspended for two years, on conditions. The cannabis was ordered to be destroyed and the cash seized forfeited to the Crown.
