Sione Katoa (29) was sentenced to 21-months imprisonment with parts suspended for numerous charges that included possession of illicit drugs, namely 0.65 grams of methamphetamine at Veitongo.

Magistrate Pahulu-Kuli sentenced him at the Magistrate's Court in Nuku’alofa on 6 December, after he pleaded guilty to five charges last month. He had no previous convictions.

The offences were committed on 10 March this year, when he was in possession of methamphetamine weighing 0.65 grams, possession with another person 24.29 grams of cannabis and 0.25 grams of methamphetamine, possession of another 0.57 grams of cannabis and of various drug utensils that included 432 small plastic packs, a test tube, among others.

Illicit drugs are a major problem in Tonga as it affects communities and impacts families, stated the Magistrate.

“At the same time, due to the many empty packs seized it showed that the defendant was involved in supplying both the cannabis and methamphetamine, while the seizure of other drug utensils showed that he is a drug user.”

Drug offences are serious offences and the maximum sentencing that can be imposed in the lower court is for 1 gram of a Class A illicit drug is $10,000 pa’anga or imprisonment for not more than three-years or both.

For possession of a Class B [cannabis] illicit drug not over 28 grams, the maximum sentencing is $5,000 pa’anga or sentencing for not more than a year or be imposed both.

The accused was then sentenced to 21-months imprisonment, with the final 12-months suspended for two-years on conditions. The suspended sentence is to allow him to rehabilitate and change his life.

His sentence was backdated to 8 September, 2023.

The Magistrate ordered for the illicit drugs to be destroyed.