Matangi Fetu’u’aho (35) was sentenced to 22-months imprisonment for possession of 257.86 grams of cannabis.

Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC sentenced him on June 1, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court. He pleaded guilty to numerous counts of unlawful possession of the illicit drug, as well as utensils.

On December 20, last year Police received information that the defendant was selling drugs from his residence in Te'ekiu.

He said, while driving to the residence, Police were informed that the defendant had gone to the residence of his co- accused, Manu Huni at Fo'ui.

When they arrived at Fo'ui, police found the defendant packing cannabis. The defendant and another co-accused, 'Atapani Pongi, picked up something from the floor and ran out the back door. 

Police who identified several packs falling from the offenders’ hands intercepted them.

At Manu's residence, Police found numerous packs of cannabis and cannabis leaves, a plastic bag containing 415 empty plastic packs and several bongs.

More cannabis packs including, 262 empty plastic packs, aluminium that could be used for smoking cannabis and a utensil for smoking cannabis oil, were found at the defendant's residence.

The defendant admitted to the offending, while his two co-accused did not. Their trial is listed to start this month on June 8.

Aggravating features included the moderate amount of cannabis found and the defendant packing the cannabis for a small commercial supply.

“In addition, pursuant to s 4(2) of the Act, as recently amended, the amount of cannabis exceeds seven grams, the defendant is deemed to be a supplier and 
the presence of unlawful utensils at his residence also suggested that he is a drug user,” said the Crown.

The defendant also admitted to cultivating a cannabis plantation for his own personal use and for supplying purposes to earn an income.

The Chief Justice, after regarding the seriousness of this offending, the amount and total weight of the cannabis found in the defendant's possession (257.86 grams) sentenced him to 22-months imprisonment.

However, due to his long period free of crime, this being his first detected drug-related offences, his cooperation with authorities, pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity, the final 11-months was suspended for two-years on condtions.

"The defendant's assertion that he has quit drugs is to be accepted, then there is some hope that he will take the opportunity for rehabilitation offered by a partially suspended sentence and the supportive conditions to be attached."

Failure to comply with the conditions may result in the suspension being rescinded, in which case, the defendant will be required to serve the balance of his sentence, said the Chief Justice.

The illicit drug was ordered to be destroyed.