Likamani Fa’aoso was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment for possession of 165.37 grams of cannabis, at a police checkpoint in Tofoa during a routine COVID-19 inspection.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced by Lord Chief Justice Whitten on October 30, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

The Court heard that the defendant was charged jointly with Sosiua Totau, on this offence. Upon their arraignment on September 30 the defendant pleaded guilty, whereas his co-accused pleaded not guilty. 

Totau also pleaded not guilty to one count of offering a bribe to a police officer. 

The Chief Justice said on March 30 this year, the defendant Fa'aoso and Totau were driving in a rental vehicle. The defendant was driving and police were carrying out routine COVID-19 inspections, at a checkpoint in Tofoa. 

The defendant’s vehicle was waved over and an officer from the Drugs Enforcement Taskforce recognised Totau and walked towards the driver’s door. 

Totau reached for the key, which was still in the ignition. A struggle ensued and the officer removed the key. 


With the assistance of two other officers, police conducted a search of the vehicle. They found 126 packs of cannabis, one plastic bag of cannabis leaves and seeds and another large bag of cannabis leaves. 

In total, the cannabis weighed 165.37 grams. 


Substantial quantity

The Crown submitted the aggravating features was the substantial quantity of cannabis and the fact that most of it was found in 126 small packs, which suggested the defendant may be a supplier. 

He has previous convictions for assault in 2007 and housebreaking and theft in 2008. He did not have any previous convictions for drug related offences.

The defendant Fa’aoso was convicted and was sentenced to 16-months imprisonment. 


The final eight-months of the sentence was suspended [on conditions] for one-year from the date of his release. 

In addition, the Chief Justice warned him that any failure to fulfill the conditions may result in him being returned to prison to complete the balance of his sentence. 

The illicit drugs were ordered to be destroyed.