By Linny Folau

Siosiua Savieti (22) and Mavae Fonokalafi (19) were both jailed for drug-related charges. Siosiua is serving four years and six months for possessing significant amounts of methamphetamine and cannabis, while Mavae is serving to two years and six months for lesser charges.

Justice Tupou sentenced them on 25 March in the Supreme Court, Nuku’alofa. Siosiua was charged on three counts of possession of illicit drugs that included 127.07 grams of methamphetamine, 14.41 grams of cannabis and a bong and a smoking pipe used for smoking illicit drugs.

Mavae was charged with possession 24.54 grams of methamphetamine and 0.05 grams of cannabis seized at a home in Talafo‘ou last year.

On 21 January, 2025 both defendants pleaded guilty to all charges. The Prosecution withdrew the charges against a third defendant.

The judge said that police were alerted on 18 March 2024 concerning illicit drugs at Siosiua's residence in Talafo'ou. A police team was dispatched there, and the defendants were informed of the search for illicit drugs. Nothing was found on the defendants. However, the police officers then moved to Mavae's bedroom, where they found inside a suitcase: small branches and one packet containing seeds that tested positive for cannabis weighing 0.05 grams; two empty packets beside the suitcase on the floor and two packets containing white substance, confirmed to be methamphetamine and weighing 21.05 grams and 3.49 grams each.

In the last room in the house, after unlocking it, police found: $280 inside a small bag under the bed, and a bag of four large packets containing white substance, that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 27.04 grams, 27.59 grams, 45 grams and 27.44 grams respectively.

Underneath a table police uncovered a large plastic bag containing seeds confirmed to be cannabis weighing 0.35grams, a broken smoking pipe, a noodle package containing cannabis weighing 10.46 grams and a silver plastic bag containing cannabis weighing 3.60 grams.

The judge said that a total of 151.61 grams of methamphetamine, 14.46 grams of cannabis and $460.50 were seized in the police operation.

Substantial meth

The Crown noted the aggravating features were the substantial amount of methamphetamine involved and the accuseds’ lack of cooperation with the police. In their favour as mitigating features were their guilty pleas and being first time offenders. The judge noted that as a result of the inconsistencies in his story, the probation officer was of the opinion that Siosiua was unreliable. He lacked remorse and felt guilty only because he was caught. He was assessed as high risk to reoffend and a partially suspended sentence with appropriate conditions as recommended.

On the first count, the maximum penalty for possession of a Class A illicit drug exceeding one gram is a fine not exceeding $1,000,000 or imprisonment for any period not exceeding life or both. The amount involved here was 127.07 grams of methamphetamine, the judge said.

The judge adopted a starting point of seven and a half years imprisonment, recognising a need for a strong punishment because the Tongan community regards methamphetamine use as a scourge that causes a great deal of harm and misery and causes grave concern for the authorities. The judge deducted one year due to various mitigating factors before sentencing Siosiua to six years imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended for two years on conditions. Mavae was sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended for two years on conditions.

“Lastly, as harsh as this sentence may be considered, it is important to send a message to the youth who are the most vulnerable that they will be properly punished for these types of offending. The same is true for the not so young. This behaviour has proven to be a self-perpetuating cycle that will trickle down through generations if not stopped and the courts will not hesitate to play its role in this respect.”