By Linny Folau

Andy Fukofuka (37) was sentenced for possession of 0.9 grams of methamphetamine inside Hu’atolitoli Prison, after prison wardens were informed he was apparently selling the illicit drug.

Magistrate Langi sentenced him on 23 October, after he changed his plea to guilty to the charge.

The offence was on the morning of 2 August this year, and was discovered when, responding to a call, Police officers from the Drugs Unit went to the prison where a prison officer Havealeta handed over the illicit drugs, allegedly seized on the prisoner.

The lower court was told that Fukofuka is currently serving a prison term for another offence and on the morning the offence was committed, the prison’s the drug unit officers searched him, after receiving information that he was selling the illicit drugs inside the prison compound.

The Magistrate stated that when the prison officers went into the prisoner’s room, he had just returned from the toilet and he was searched by prison warden Fine’isaloi, where a pack and bits of white substance was on his hands.

The substance found on his hand was taken to be tested and confirmed to be methamphetamine. Fukofuka voluntarily admitted to the prison officers that it was indeed meth that was inside the pack.

Meanwhile, the Prosecution in its submission on aggravating factors stated that illicit drugs are a problem in Tonga, and this was not the first time that the prisoner had committed the drug offence and in this instance, he committed it in prison.

He also had a criminal record dating back to 2021 that included drug offences, abetment to theft, possession of ammunition without a license, theft and receiving stolen goods.

The prisoner since committing this offence was put inside the maximum prison cell.

The Magistrate stated that the maximum sentencing for possession of a Class A drug weighing under 1 gram is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or jail time of not more than three years or both.

“It is not something new that methamphetamine has become a problem in Tonga, which has caused so many problems in families and to the body and mind of drug users,” she stated.

The prisoner was convicted and sentenced to 15 months in prison served concurrently (at the same time) with his current prison term.