Acquittal in 6.78 grams meth case [1]
Friday, April 22, 2022 - 21:50
The judge said the correct analysis of the facts of this case, there is no evidence that Mr. Tafuna had physical control of the items in question.
“There is no evidence finger print analysis took place in this case yet could easily have been done."
He said to infer that he had to have known of its existence, there would need to be before me evidence that associated its sale with the fale of Mr. Tafuna.
Whilst the amount or methamphetamine, separately packed in dealer bags, and the existence of scales and empty packets, clearly implies commercial dealing, there is no evidence to support that it happened at Mr. Tafuna's address, he said.
The judge said in the instant case there is, as discussed no evidence to associate the fale with drug dealing.
He said taking that all together, he concluded that he cannot be sure Mr. Tafuna was in possession of those drugs or utensils, counts 1-3.
As for count 4, permitting his premises to be used to consume drugs, for the reasons of the pipes being concealed and no evidence of recent use, I cannot be sure that Mr. Tafuna knew of them.
They being the only sign of drug use, on the evidence, I cannot be sure there was drug use in the fale, and if there was, what that was or whether Mr. Tafuna knew. Accordingly, I acquit him of all four counts, said the judge.