Aresst warrant for convicted drug dealer who failed to appear in court [1]
Friday, July 10, 2020 - 19:05
Tevita Talia’uli Fatongiatau was found guilty of two counts of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis at the Supreme Court on July 10.
A warrant for his arrest has been issued, after he failed to appear in Court.
Hon Mr Justice Cato in his verdict was satisfied beyond any reasonable doubt that the Prosecution has made out its case on both counts.
The accused was convicted of possessing 159.13 grams of cannabis and methamphetamine weighing 0.34 grams.
The Court heard at about 11.30pm on October 28, 2018, Police received information that the accused was at Angela's Guest House in Kolofo’ou and was in possession of illicit drugs, and was dealing those drugs there.
Police executed a warrantless search. During that search, Police saw the accused throw a bag out of the window, which was retrieved by another police officer waiting below.
This contained one sachet of cannabis and cash amounting to $355 pa’anga.
Police also retrieved around 80 small packets or bags of cannabis, which were in the toilet as well as cannabis plant material and a large number of small plastic bags.
Also located was a weight scale and a test tube. Beside the bed in a cigarette packet was a sachet containing white powder, which the judge was satisfied, was the residue of methamphetamine that the accused, in a record of interview, admitted to smoking methamphetamine, and flushing cannabis that had been in the bag down the toilet.
The accused said that was so that police would not find it.
In the trial, the accused did not give evidence.
The judge said, there being no further appearance of the accused he was convicted of both counts in his absence. When arrested he is to be detained in police custody for a sentencing on a date to be fixed.