Siosifa Fili (35) and Sila Maile (28) were jailed for various charges including possession of 1.62 grams of methamphetamine and 0.66 grams of cannabis. A co-accused, Foketi Fate (49) was sentenced to four months imprisonment fully suspended.

Justice Cooper sentenced the trio on 10 September at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.

The court heard that on 29 December 2023 police attended a tax allotment in Vaini, having received information suggesting that there were individuals in possession of illicit drugs there. From vehicles and fales at the allotment, 10 people were arrested and taken in for questioning.

The offences were committed on 30 December, 2023. Maile pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B illicit drug, 0.66 grams of cannabis, 1 straw used for packing illicit drugs.

Fate had in his possession 8.27 grams of cannabis. While, Fili possessed 1.62 grams of methamphetamine, 14.64 grams of cannabis, and possession of 350 empty packs used for packing illicit drugs.

Maile, who was sentenced to one month and three weeks imprisonment, will serve his six months suspended sentence, which he breached. No part of either sentence was suspended. That sentence was back dated to his first remand.

Fate was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment, fully suspended on conditions. While, Fili was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, the last six months suspended on conditions. All time served on remand must count towards his sentence

The judge stated that a number of seizures of illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia, as well as firearms, ammunition and a machete were made. All 10 were committed from the Magistrates’ court to the Supreme Court and appeared there for their arraignment on 15 July 2024.

These three defendants pleaded guilty on that date and had their cases adjourned for pre-sentence reports to be compiled.

“Mr Maile was arrested in one of the fales, though it is not clear from the summary how he came to be there or where he was found therein. In any event, he had in his possession a small quantity of cannabis (0.66 grams) and a straw in his back trouser pocket.

“Arrested and cautioned, he claimed the cannabis belonged to a girl he had come to the property with and the straw he found.

“Whilst the police operation was being carried out, Mr. Fate arrived in a vehicle with another male, he was the front passenger. Mr. Fate was observed to act surreptitiously, making guarded movements to his side, as if concealing something.

“A search of a cigarette packet placed by his seat revealed 15 separate dealer packets of cannabis stored inside. Their total weight was 8.27 grams.

“Minutes later a further vehicle arrived, it had no headlights illuminated. The driver was holding a torch. Mr. Fili was driving the vehicle, another male was in the front passenger seat. The front passenger was seen to discard a bag from his side window and then attempt to conceal something in the dashboard,” the judge stated.

The police recovered from both the bag on the ground and within the vehicle 29 packets of cannabis (14.64 grams), 17 packets of methamphetamine (1.62 grams) and 350 empty packs. A further bag of methamphetamine and a plastic scoop were also found in the vehicle by the driver’s side.

Fili had $150 in cash in his hand and a further $405 was recovered found hidden in his phone case. When both men were arrested and cautioned, between them they explained all the illegal items belonged to Fili.

All those detained were taken to Central Police station. All but one exercised his right to silence, he is one of the men awaiting trial and not one of these three men who fall to be sentence, said the judge.

All three have previous convictions pleaded guilty to the charges.