Similati Tupou was sentenced to nine-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of 0.01 gram of methamphatamine and 94 blank .22 ammunitions without a license, seized at his home in Pahu.

He was found guilty of both charges, after trial at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Justice Langi in sentencing him on January 15, said on February 28, 2020, Tonga Police received reliable information that the accused was selling drugs from his home.

The police carried out a search without a warrant at his residence where they found test tubes used for smoking methamphetamine. One of those test tubes still had illicit drugs inside. The Police tested the substance using the Trunarc Analyzer and it gave a positive reading for methamphetamine.

Police also found a bottle containing 94 blank .22 ammunitions in an area said to be used by the accused as a bedroom. The accused is a first-time drug offender.

The accused told the probation officer that he has a previous conviction for theft where he was sentenced to imprisonment for two-years at the Magistrate's Court. However, after checking the records, the probation office found that he had a total of six criminal convictions for various theft and assault charges.

The judge said, though the accused did not plead guilty and did not cooperate with the police, she believed that he should be given an opportunity to receive help for his addiction.

"I hope for his benefit that he takes the opportunity granted to him to make use of the tools that will be given to him through drug alcohol courses to change his life around. I therefore suspend the whole of ;his sentence for 12-months on conditions."

The suspended sentence conditions includes, that the accused must not commit any offences punishable by imprisonment for one-year.

He is also placed on probation, must complete a Salvation Army Drugs and Alcohol Awareness Program and Life Skills Course and undertake 40-hours of community work.