Seven men have pleaded guilty to charges that included jointly cultivating 2665 cannabis plants [99.6 kgs] at a tax allotment in Holonga, Vava’u.

Tonga Wolfgramm, Sulitomu’a Muna, Cullen Pongi, Hesuati Toke, Misnale Lavemai, ‘Amini Topui and Afei Tau’akitangata Tatafu all from Mataika, pleaded guilty on October 5, before Lord Chief Justice Whitten at the Supreme Court in Neiafu. 

The trial was listed to start on October 5 for five-days. However, upon arraignment the accused changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty.

In addition, the first accused Tonga (40) is also charged with possession of 22.57 grams of cannabis leaves and seeds and possession of 26 rounds of .22 ammunition, without a license.

While, Sulitomu’a is charged with possessing a .22 rifle without a license.

Cultivation

The Crown stated that in September, 2018 police received information there was a cannabis plantation grown by the accused at a tax allotment in Holonga, among a kava plantation.

A search warrant was issued and police searched the tax allotment on September 24, 2018.

When police arrived they saw Sulitomu'a present who fled taking a .22 rifle, when he saw them.

Police discovered the cannabis plants were grown next to the kava plants, in three blocks assigned to the accused.

The accused, Tonga, provided the seedlings for the cannabis, which were first planted in a nursery and when they grew were transferred and planted in his blocks.

Police discovered a total of 2,665 cannabis plants planted in these blocks. Also found were dried cannabis leaves and cannabis seeds, as well as fertilizer used to grow the cannabis and kava plants.

Another police search was also executed at a town allotment, where Tonga lived and which the other accused frequently visit or stay at.

Police found there 13 ziplock plastic bags containing cannabis leaves and 15 small plastic bags containing cannabis seeds.

These cannabis leaves and seeds were weighed and found to be 22.57grams. Also found were 26 ammunitions for the .22 rifle. The seven accused were then arrested.

After their guilty pleas, the Chief Justice ordered they be detained in police custody for sentencing on October 16.