Suspended sentence for drug offender aged 63 years [1]
Monday, November 15, 2021 - 17:47
‘Ioane Tavo (63) received a suspended sentence for possession of 0.04 gram of methamphetamine, after his vehicle was searched by Tonga Police at Hala'ovave.
Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced him at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The defendant from Matahau was produced before the court on October 21, after a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to attend for his arraignment, he said.
The Crown's case was that police had received credible intelligence that someone was selling illicit drugs from a vehicle parked alongside Hihifo Road at Hala’ovave. He had been the sole occupant of the vehicle
The judge said, police had acted on information and in expediting the investigation had needed to act without a warrant.
"A search of the vehicle had revealed a single packet of suspected drugs. This was seized and tested and proved to be methamphetamine."
He said in considering how to approach the correct tariff for this offence, the court considered comparable sentences recently passed in the Supreme Court. He had a previous conviction for a like offence, but that was in 2002.
The defendant was then sentenced to nine-months imprisonment but suspended for 18-months.
Forfeiture and destruction ofthe drugs was ordered.
“Any breach I reserve to myself,” said the judge.