Tevita Talia’uli Fatongiatau (33) was sentenced at the Supreme Court last week to two-years six-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs.

He was a guest at Angela's Motel in Kolofo'ou, when he flushed some of the drugs in the toilet when Police apprehended him on October 29, 2018.

Hon. Mr Justice Cato on July 10, convicted the accused on two counts of possessing 159.13 grams of cannabis and 0.34 
grams methamphetamine.

The Crown submitted that on October 28, 2018 at around 11:30pm, Police received reliable information that the accused was a guest at the guest house and was in possession of illicit drugs. The information also included that he was dealing these illicit drugs there. 

At 1:30am, Police executed a search without warrant because they did not know how long the accused and the illicit drugs would be in his room.

Police arrived and was informed by one of the motel workers, the accused's room number, and upon entering the room, they found him standing close to the bathroom. There was also a woman present.

The accused then threw a bag out of the window in the bathroom and then flushed the toilet. 

Police quickly apprehended the accused and found inside the toilet 80 small packets of cannabis.

Also located in the search was one pack of cannabis found in the bag that was thrown outside, 
one pack of methamphetamine, 
one weight scale, one test tube and 
$355 pa’anga.

The accused from Pili had previous convictions.

Meanwhile on the two-years six-months imprisonment, the final 12-months was suspended.

This was on conditions that the accused be placed on probation to live where directed, must not drink alcohol nor take drug, among other orders. His sentence was backdated to date of remand.

The drugs was ordered to be destroyed.