Prisoner gets more time for meth and firearm convictions [1]
Thursday, July 21, 2022 - 18:06. Updated on Thursday, July 21, 2022 - 18:09.
Bruno Latu (27) was sentenced to 27-months imprisonment for offences that included possession of a pistol without a license and 1.72 grams of methamphetamine.
Lord Chief Justice Whitten QC sentenced him on 20 July at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.
He pleaded guilty to possession of the illicit drugs, attempting to destroy evidence and possession of utensils. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a 6mm pistol and ammunition without a licence.
He is currently serving nine-months imprisonment for another case of possessing 0.17 grams of methamphetamine. This was after the Court of Appeal re-sentenced him on 23 May.
Selling drugs
On 28 April 2021, Police received information that the defendant was selling drugs from his brother’s residence in Mataika.
During a search of the residence, police found five packs of white substances floating inside the toilet bowl, one of which was dissolving.
Police also found two test-tubes, a silver grinder, four pairs of gloves, 17 disposable needles, eight disposable syringes, a black Digicel phone containing five packs of methamphetamine, a number of empty dealer packs and another pack of methamphetamine.
In addition, $390 cash was found on him. When initially questioned, the defendant admitted to the offending but when he was later interviewed, he chose to remain silent.
On 3 August 2021, Police received information that the defendant had a pistol.
When they contacted him, he confirmed that he had hid the pistol. The next day, he surrendered to police a 6mm pistol and three rounds of 6mm ammunition.
Repeat offender
The Crown submitted the aggravating factors against this prisoner, were that drug offending is a huge problem in Tonga, a class A drug over 1 gram, and that the amount of drugs and case found indicated he was in possession of drugs with intent to supply;
The only mitigating factor was his early guilty plea.
The court heard that the prisoner had been deported to Tonga in 2020 for drug dealing overseas.
The probation officer opined that the defendant grew up in a broken home which had resulted in him having a different mindset 'of what life should be' and that he was remorseful and asked for the Court’s mercy. She recommended suspension on conditions.
The prisoner was then sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 34-months.
The Lord Chief Justice in regarding the totality principle reduced this to a net sentence of 27-months imprisonment.
“The 27-months imprisonment starts on the completion of his current sentence. The final-nine months of the total sentence was suspended for two-years on conditions,” he ordered.