‘Inoke Huakau (39) was sentenced at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court to six-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for possession of 0.29 grams of methamphetamine in 2019.

Hon Justice Langi in a written sentence released on January 20 said the accused had initially pleaded not guilty and his matter was listed for trial.

However, he changed his plea to guilty in December, 2020. 
This was after being sentenced for possession of methamphetamine, on a separate case he committed last year.

The Court heard on April 10, 2019 the Drugs Taskforce received reliable information regarding potential drug dealing at a house in Tofoa. 


Police went to this house to conduct surveillance and secure the area. At the time the Taskforce was on standby at the Police Headquarters in Longolongo. 


While, the police were surveying the home, the accused arrived in his car and approached the house. Someone came and met him and the police looked on as they exchanged items. 


Police approached them and the other person fled the scene. He was later apprehended 
and brought back. 


The police officers searched the accused and noticed a packet of methamphetamine and $30 pa'anga on 
the ground next to where he was standing. 


The judge sentenced the accused to six-months imprisonment, which is concurrent to his sentence on the previous case [CR 247/20] of six-months, fully suspended on conditions.

The illicit drug was ordered to be destroyed.