Man with over 1kg of cannabis seeds convicted [1]
Monday, October 8, 2018 - 17:23
Uasi Musika (48) was convicted on two counts of possession of cannabis seeds and plant material seized by Tonga Police at a property in Fo‘ui last year.
Hon Mr Justice Cato on September 28 found the accused guilty on the cannabis charges, after trial alone at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
However, the accused was discharged on two other counts of possession of arms without a licence, namely a .22 semi automatic rifle and possession of ammunition without a licence, after the Crown elected not to proceed with these charges during trial.
“I am satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the amount of cannabis located in total amounted to 42.91 grams of plant material (count 1) and 1221.1 grams of cannabis seeds (count 2).”
The court heard, that police executed a search warrant on May 4 at the property occupied by the accused, his wife and a young man in his 20s.
A dog was used to search the property for the drugs. The cannabis were located in several places inside and outside the house.
The accused is remanded in custody to be sentenced on November 9.
At the same time, the judge ordered the cannabis material and seeds to be destroyed.