CBD drug dealer convicted [1]
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - 17:07. Updated on Sunday, September 1, 2019 - 16:16.
Lautaimi Tu’itavake (34) from Malapo has been remanded in custody for sentencing for possession of cannabis and methamphatamine, after a one day trial on May 20 at the Supreme Court.
The accused had pleaded guilty to possession of one pack of methamphatamine containing 0.3 gram.
He pleaded not guilty to a further charge of possession of 191.45 grams of cannabis, which he was convicted on.
Hon. Mr Justice Cato remanded him in police custody for sentencing on July 19.
The Crown’s case was that on May 7, 2018, Police had arrested four boys who were found in possession of cannabis. The information and description by the boys led to his arrest.
These boys had purchased the cannabis from Tu'itavake earlier that day. He had a small bag, from which he had taken out the cannabis and sold it to them.
The Court was told, Police found Tu'itavake at a restaurant in the Central Business District and took him outside.
Police tried to restrain him but he struggled and started shouting and swore at them. Police struggled with him across the road to the parking area at Taumoepeau Building on Fatafehi Road and arrested him.
The Police officers then noticed him trying to put something into his shorts and they grabbed his hand, which contained the small bag as described by the other boys.
Fourteen packs of cannabis and one pack of methamphetamine were found inside the bag, while Tu'itavake at this time, shouted claiming that the bag was not his and that Police put it in his pocket.
He was arrested and taken to the Central Police Station, where $92 pa’anga was found on him.
On the same day, a search warrant was executed at his home in Malapo, where 85 packs of cannabis, cannabis seeds and cannabis leaves were seized.
On May 8, Police found that the 14 packs of cannabis weighted 9.40 grams and the one pack of methamphetamine weighed 0.3 gram. The other cannabis found at his home weighed 182.05 grams.
Tu'itavake who has previous convictions did not cooperate with the Police.