Tupou Le’okava Tafuna (38) was sentenced to six-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of 0.4 grams of methamphetamine seized at Longolongo.

Hon Justice Langi sentenced the accused this month at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

This was after Tafuna pleaded guilty to two counts in October, one of possession and the other for interference with the evidence when he swallowed a plastic bag, during the drug bust.

On November 30, 2019 Tonga Police received reliable information that the accused was selling illicit drugs ;from a rental car at Longolongo. A joint operation by the Drugs Enforcement team and the Tactical Response Team then surveyed this area.

Police identified a vehicle reversing from a house in the area. The police blocked the vehicle as it neared the main road.

As the police walked over to the vehicle, one of the police officers observed the accused putting a plastic bag in his mouth. The police officer rushed over and tried to stop the accused but he managed to push them off and swallowed the object.

The accused and his three passengers were taken out of the vehicle for police to search the car.

A packet of methamphetamine was located inside the car and a smoking pipe. The drugs weighed a total of 0.4 grams.

The judge considered this was a case appropriate and in line with recent authorities to fully suspend the accused's sentence subject to conditions.

"I also believe that an order for community service is appropriate for sentences that are fully suspended even for minimal amounts. This is to convey to anyone who deals with drugs that they will not get off lightly."

The judge then sentenced him to six-months imprisonment on both counts, which was fully suspended on conditions, which included 40-hours of community work.