Tevita Malolo (45) was sentenced to eight-months imprisonment for possessing 62.05 grams of cannabis and utensils seized at his home in Tatakamotonga, in 2020.

Malolo pleaded guilty to the offences.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced him on June 8 at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

He said on December 21, 2020 Police acted on information that drugs were being sold from the defendant's home address and searched his property.

A police dog was deployed and during the search indicated the area around the television set in the living room and that was where the drugs were found.

The defendant cooperated with the police and admitted that the drugs were his.

He said, this offence was committed after the amendment to the Illicit Drugs Act came into force.

The starting date was December 8, 2020 and this offence was on December 21. Now, drugs over seven grams must be sentenced as supply, he said.

Considering the effect of the new legislative regime, the judge took a starting point of 12-months. He then deducted 30% for the defendant's timely guilty plea, leaving eight-months sentence.

The final two-months was then suspended for two-years on conditions, that he must not commit any offence punishable by imprisonment, must undertake a drugs awareness course and any other rehabilitative course, among other requirements.

The drugs and paraphelia are to be destroyed and money forfeited.