By Linny Folau

Tapi Panuve (44) is serving seven months in prison for several charges, including possession of 1.45 grams of methamphetamine in Longolongo last year.

He was sentenced on 31 March in the Magistrate's Court in Fasi. He initially pleaded not guilty to three charges that included possession of drugs utensils and resisting arrest but during his trial, he changed his plea to guilty to all of the carges. 

The Prosecution told the court that on 18 July 2024, at 7:20 pm, Police searched a residence in Longolongo. A truck driven by the defendant arrived at the residence, and when officers approached the vehicle the defendant tried to escape. He threw items outside from the front passenger door, and resisted the attempt by Officer Mafi to detain him by pushing him off and wrestling him, which allowed him to escape in his vehicle.

The police found one pipe containing a pack of white crystal substances and one cracked smoking pipe. He was later arrested from his residence, while the substance was tested and confirmed to be methamphetamine. He has two previous convictions for similar offences in 2020 and 2021.

The Magistrate stated that the heavy penalty imposed for possession of a Class A illicit is reflected in Parliament increasing it to life imprisonment in 2020. The Government and people are concerned with the distribution of methamphetamine in Tonga. It was clear with the defendant possessed the illicit drug and utensils that he was using and had resisted arrest.

He was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment with the final three months suspended for two years on conditions. The illicit drugs and utensils were ordered to be destroyed.