By Linny Folau

Mosese Mafile’o Uasike (39) was sentenced to eight months imprisonment partially suspended for charges, including possession of 0.99 grams of methamphetamine, in a drug bust in September 2023.

Justice Cooper sentenced him to serve the eight months' imprisonment, with the last four months suspended for one year on conditions, and back dated to 12 March 2024.

While, all drugs and paraphernalia forfeited and ordered to be destroyed with the $200 cash seized also forfeited, during sentencing on 23 April, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

At his arraignment hearing last month, the accused pleaded guilty to three charges that on 20 September 2023, in Kolomotu'a, he had in his possession 0.99 grams of methamphetamine.

He also possessed one smoking glass utensil, three straws, 130 empty packs, one weighing scale, one bong can and one smoking utensil, used for packing and smoking illicit drugs. He also had in his possession one .38mm ammunition without a licence.

The court heard that on 20 September 2023 at around 10:30 pm, Police Inspector Vi received intelligence that ultimately took him and other officers to Kolomotu'a, with the intention of raiding the home of the accused. As they arrived in Kolomotu'a they received information directing them to the front of the hall of the Wesleyan Church

The judge stated that the officers observed a black motor car drop an individual in the vicinity of the hall, before departing, only to return shortly thereafter. While the car parked, the accused approached it, and Police officers intercepted, detained and secured him in handcuffs. As they did so he attempted to discard a vape. That was immediately seized.

He was searched and all that was found upon him was $200 cash. Police Inspector Vi opened the rear of the vape, which was wrapped at one end with black tape and discovered inside one pack containing five packs with a white substance inside and one pack also containing white substance.

The accused was cautioned and asked about the contents of the vape, but he denied any knowledge of them. His property was then searched by police assisted by a police dog. He admitted these items were used by him for smoking. But, he stated the white substance was used as a cooking ingredient. At the same time, the packets recovered from inside the vape were analysed and found to contain methamphetamine, as was the residue from the pipe, and the contents of the packet seized from the top of the speaker in the living room.

When confronted with the facts of these offences, he admitted them to the probation officer. The impression he made was of someone able to rehabilitate and accordingly should have a portion of his sentence suspended, with appropriate conditions to that end, stated the judge.

Meanwhile, the Crown's indicative sentencing submission. Count one a sentence in the range of 12-15 months with five months deducted for early guilty plea and his previous good character. The final four months of his sentence to be suspended. For possession of utensils, 9-12 months, with three months deducted the final sentence to run concurrent with count one and for possession of ammunition, a sentence of one month, concurrent to count one.

The judge ordered for the sentence on count one, possession 0.99 grams methamphetamine, 12 months, reduced by four for his previous good character and early plea. Count two possession of drug utensils, nine months reduced to six to run concurrent with count one and for count three possession of ammunition, one month, concurrent with count one.

Because this was a first offence and his stated remorse, some of his sentence should rightly be suspended, he added.

The accused was then sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, the last four months suspended for one year on conditions. His sentence was then back dated to his first remand in police custody on 12 March this year.

While, all drugs and paraphernalia were forfeited and ordered to be destroyed. The cash seized also forfeited.