Misivina Tatakamotonga was sentenced to seven-years eight-months imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs, including 99.47 grams of methamphetamine.

Hon Mr Justice Cooper sentenced him on August 17, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on two counts of possessing the meth and 3.79 grams of cannabis.

The evidence at trial was that Tonga Police was alerted by an information to the defendant's possession of illicit drugs at his home in Pahu, Tongatapu.

He said that Police acted expeditiously, albeit without a warrant and entered his home and made a search, discovering first a suspected cannabis joint, then a cooler box in the kitchen.

“This contained more packets of what appeared to be cannabis, as alleged in the cannabis count and the substantial quantity of what the police thought must be methamphetamine,” said the judge.

The defendant had chosen to give evidence and initially declined to account for the drugs.

“But at the end of the evidence admitted that he had been given them and that was for him to sell. He also identified 'Aisea Alangi, who is now hiding some where in South Pacific, as the person he bought them from,” he said.

"It is a matter of grave concern that in the face of that evidence the defendant was only charged with possession of the illicit drugs. These offences took place before the amendment to the Illicit Drugs Act, which would have deemed the defendant's possession as supply."

“In addition, given the quantity involved and the defendant's own a record of the amounts he was dealing in, what his true activities were not reflected in the indictment,” he said.

"There also appears to have been scant, if any, investigation into the names in the dealer list or any action taken in respect of the telephone numbers recorded therein. If that is right, then the investigating authorities are strongly urged to reflect on what charges are brought in these circumstances and what lines of enquiry can properly be pursued."

The defendant was deported from the United States. 

“In the hope that he can still be rehabilitated, a portion of his sentence was suspended, but in the light of his record for drug offending in the United States, I limit that to the last six-months of his sentence,” the judge said.

This meant that he was sentenced to 80-months imprisonment (7-years 8-months) but with the last six-months suspended for two years, on conditions.

"Any breach will be reserved to this court."

All monies was ordered to be forfeited, including $1,391.60 pa'anga, AUS$10.00 and NZ$ 5.00. All drugs and paraphernalia were to be forfeited and destroyed, ordered the judge.