By Linny Folau

Kisina Neiufi (33) who is already serving four and half years imprisonment for previous drug offences received an additional 30 months for possession of 13.68 grams of methamphetamine seized last year.

He was sentenced in the Fasi Magistrate's Court on 25 March. He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of the illicit drugs and utensils. He pleaded not guilty to a third charge of possession of ammunition, which was eventually struck out by the Prosecution.

The lower court heard that on 28 February, 2024 Police acted on information that illicit drugs were being sold at a home in Kolomotu’a. As police officers stopped the defendant's vehicle, which was about to leave, the defendant attempted to flee but was chased and apprehended by the officers. Upon searching the defendant, they found 114 empty packs in the pocket of his trousers.

Police found three packs and $50 cash on the road where the defendant fled. In the defendant's vehicle, officers seized a black box containing a large pack of suspected methamphetamine and other empty packs. Tests confirmed the substance was methamphetamine.

The Magistrate emphasized that individuals involved with methamphetamine, irrespective of its quantity, should anticipate imprisonment. The defendant was sentenced to 54 months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended owing to his guilty plea to the offences. Subsequently, the Magistrate ordered that an additional 30 months be added to his existing four-and-a-half-year sentence for other drug-related offences imposed on him last month by the Supreme Court.