Drug offenders arrested under a tree, imprisoned [1]
Monday, November 21, 2022 - 19:07
Two men were jailed for possession of methamphetamine and drugs utensils, after they were arrested under a tree in Nukunuku.
On 8 November, Hon. Mr Justice Cooper sentenced Maika Namoa (30) to 12-months imprisonment for possesion of 1.33 grams of methamphetamine, four empty packs and one test tube.
Fetu'u Finau (30) to four-months imprisonment for one count of possession of a test tube.
While, Topui Sekona (31) who possessed 0.15 grams of methamphetamine, 1.57 grams of cannabis and four empty packs received four-months sentence, fully suspended for two-years on conditions.
The judge said on 27 December 2021 at around 7:00pm, Police received information alleging that Namoa was involved in the supply of illicit drugs.
A team of officers went to Nukunuku consequently and discovered the defendants sitting under a fau tree and apparently in possession of illicit drugs and drugs paraphernalia.
The three were detained and areas and the area searched, and items seized. They each pleaded guilty at the Supreme Court.
Namoa has a previous conviction for destruction of evidence imposed at the Supreme Court on 28 October 2021.
This which was 16-months fully suspended for two-years, on conditions.
The judge said, the accused used to support his family going on the seasonal working scheme to Australia and had been doing that since 2004, but this year could not because of his involvement with the offences in 2021.
“He has plainly committed this offence during the currency of the suspended sentence im posed in October 2021.”
Sekona had no previous convictions.
As for Finau he had seven convictions for seven offences from June 2008 to April 2021.
Offences included taking a vehicle without consent, housebreaking, willful damage to a building, and housebreaking for which he received a sentence of one-month imprisonment, fully suspended for one-year in April 2021.
The judge then sentenced Namoa to 12-months for the instant offending with six-months of his suspended sentence added, making a total of 18-months imprisonment.
For Finau, he was sentenced to four-months imprisonment.
The judge said, he is in breach of his suspended sentence for house breaking imposed by the Magistrates' Court on 15 April 2021, one-month suspended for one-year.
"I have thought carefully how to approach this and conclude that I will not activate any part of his suspended sentence.
“But because of the fact of the breach and his appalling record, he will need to serve the full four months of his sentence for possession of the utensil, no part of which will be suspended."
On the other hand, Sekona was sentenced to four-months, fully suspended for two-years on conditions, including carrying out 40-hours community service.
“Here Sekona was of previous good character, has taken fully responsibiltiy for what he did, pleaded guilty, albeit he did not cooperate with the Police. He will serve 40-hours community service,” he said.
The judge suspended the whole of his four-months sentence for two-years, on conditions.
All money be forfeited with drugs paraphernalia to be destroyed, he ordered.