Repeat drug offender jailed [1]
Thursday, March 2, 2023 - 17:34
Moli Tafuna (56) was jailed for charges including possession of 15.66 grams of cannabis and 0.26 grams of methamphetamine committed in 2021, on Tongatapu.
Magistrate Ma’u sentenced him on 1 March at the Magistrate’s Court in Fasi.
He was sentenced on possession of 0.26 grams of methamphetamine, 7.17 grams of cannabis, 0.36 grams of cannabis, drugs utensils, namely two test tubes; and possession of 30 packs of cannabis, which weighed at 15.66 grams.
The offender pleaded guilty to the possession of the 7.17 grams of cannabis, 0.36 grams of cannabis and 30 packs of cannabis. However, he pleaded not guilty to the other two charges, in which he was found guilty for possession of the meth and drug utensils (test tubes) in October 2022.
The Magistrate stated he committed some of the offences, while on a suspended sentence for another drug offence in 2021. He is also repeat drug offender.
Mitigating factors included his guilty pleas to some of the charges and cooperation with Police.
“Ilicit drugs are of concern to Government and society,” stated the Magistrate.
He was then sentenced to 18-months imprisonment. The final six-months was suspended for two-years, on conditions that requires him to take up a drugs course held in Hu'atolitoli Prison by Rev. Semisi Kava.
This meant he is now serving one-year's imprisonment.