Siaosi Helu (36) was sentenced today to one-year imprisonment for possession 0.04 gram of methamphetamine found hidden inside his underpants, during a routine body search by Police, when arrested for public drunkenness at Fasi.

Hon. Mr Justice Niu sentenced him at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court, after convicting him in July.

The offending was on the evening of August 5, 2020 when Police arrested him for being drunk in a public place.

The judge said, when he was searched at the police station, as was routine before putting him in the cell, it was found that he had a pack of methamphetamine, two test tubes and a straw inside his underpants between his legs.

The weight of the methamphetamine was 0.04 gram with $52 cash found in his pocket. He had previous offendings for drugs, assault, housebreaking and theft.

“In this case the defendant's wife worked and he stayed at home to look after their three young children, the youngest being only a couple of months old. I consider that he may need help with any addiction he may have to methamphetamine,” the judge said.

"I must still bear in mind the seriousness of the offence which you have committed, namely the possession of a class A drug, and the need for an effective deterrence in the sentence I have to impose."

The judge also agreed with the Crown counsel that the offender did not qualify for suspension of his sentence, but that he needed help with his addiction.

The defendant was then sentenced to 12-months imprisonment, but with the last six-months suspended for 18-months, on conditions that he completes a drug awareness course of the Salvation Army, among other conditions.

Police were ordered to destroy the drug and paraphernalia.