Two men sentenced in drugs bust [1]
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 18:48
Muimui He Lotu ‘Amaka (33) and Sione Moli (34) were sentenced to nine-months imprisonment each for possession of 0.25 grams of methamphetamine and 0.24 grams of cannabis at Nukunuku.
Justice Langi imposed the sentences, which was fully suspended on November 27, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court. Both men pleaded guilty to the offences.
The Court heard on September 14, 2019 at around 3.45am the Drugs Enforcement Taskforce together with the Police Tactical Response Group, conducted a search without a warrant at Moli’s residence.
They received reliable information that illicit drugs were being sold from this house. When they arrived, the police saw the accused and Moli, who tried to run from them, but they were caught and brought back into the house.
When the house was searched, police found two small plastic bags of cannabis on a table inside the house and a test tube containing methamphetamine on a mattress in the living room.
Both were first time drug offenders.
The judge accepted that both accused were remorseful and that the possession of the illicit drugs were for their own personal use.
"A rehabilitation course on drugs and alcohol could assist in giving the right tools to fight his addiction and become a law abiding citizen."
The judge said circumstances supported a suspension.
“I have often stated in previous cases sentenced by me, the court's attitude to drug offending have been well publicised and everyone in our community should be aware of it by now.
"The unequivocal message that must be sent out to the youths and the people who use or deal with illicit drugs is that if you involve yourself in drug offending you will receive an imprisonment term as a general rule and the only question for the judge is how long is appropriate."
Meanwhile, the suspension of the sentences for two-years requires the two men to undertake 70-hours of community work and the Salvation Army drugs/alcohol awareness program and life skills course, among others.
The illicit drugs were ordered to be destroyed.