Sosefo aka Sione Poteki who was driving around Tongatapu armed with a gun, while in possession of illicit drugs for sale was sentenced to three-years seven-months imprisonment.

Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced him on August 17, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

On October 30, 2020 Police acting on information drove to the Hu'atolitoli area in Vaini in two unmarked police vehicles, where they found the defendant driving towards them in an Isuzu Bighorn.

The defendant attempted to avoid the police who were blocking the road so as to detain him, reversing and hitting a police car, driving at Police Officer Vimahi, who was standing in the road.

“That officer shot out a tyre of the defendant's vehicle in an attempt to stop his getting away. The defendant continued to drive, turning off the road and into a plantation where he was eventually detained when his vehicle could get no further,” the judge said.

When the defendant was arrested and searched, he was found in possession of 2 x .22 ammunition and on the ground, a .22 rifle loaded with seven rounds, including one in the chamber. 

“Also on the ground, following the route the defendant had driven were three packets of suspected methamphetamine,” said the judge.

In total, 2.73 grams methamphetamine were found in and about the car. Other items seized, included 6 grams of cannabis, a quantity of empty snap bags/dealer bags, of the sort that the methamphetamine was kept in by the defendant, and two electronic scales.

The defendant pleaded guilty to possession of the illicit drugs, gun and ammunition as well as failing to comply with the lawful request by the Police officer to stop his car, said the judge.

"In respect of the methamphetamine, it is quite clear that this was possession for the purpose of supply. That is to be inferred from the scales and spare dealer bags that the defendant was driving around with as well as the drugs."

He was also armed with a loaded riffle while going about with possession of drugs for the purpose of dealing them. 


"Aggravated by the presence of a loaded firearm, which was carried in the defendant's vehicle; given the spare snap/dealer bags and the scales; it can safely be inferred that Mr Poteki was out and conducting his business dealing these drugs."

In addition, the presence of the firearm in this context was a serious aggravating feature, the judge said.

The defendant was sentenced to 43-months' imprisonment (three-years and seven-months).

Because he had a previous conviction for a firearms offence, which was not the head sentence, the final three-months was suspended for two-years on conditions.

The judge also ordered the destruction of the drugs and the forfeiture of all paraphernalia and cash.