By Linny Folau

Epworth Laimani was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of 13.27 grams of methamphetamine seized in Sopu, and other charges. This includes the activation of a suspended sentence of 12 months, which he breached.

Justice Paul Garlick sentenced him on 8 July at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa, after the defendant was found guilty on three counts at trial in May. This included possession of a class A illicit drug, namely 13.27 grams of methamphetamine, possession of 1.87 grams of cannabis and possession of utensils capable of being used in the commission of an offence

The judge had previously delivered his written verdicts and reasons on 12 May 2025.

"It is sufficient for me to say that, in the evidence that was presented during the trial, and about the defendant's previous convictions (which I have been informed of post-conviction), I am satisfied that this defendant is an experienced, recalcitrant and unrepentant drug dealer, who on 18 May 2023 drove to Sopu to collect drugs which he intended to supply to others for gain for himself. 

“His offending conduct is made more serious by the fact that he drove to Sopu with his wife and child, doubtless to give the appearance of a family outing, rather than a drugs collection run.”

The judge also had regard to the submissions made on behalf of the prosecution and the defence about the appropriate sentence in this case and of significance was that the defendant was released from a prison sentence for drug offences on 24 October 2022.

“It follows that the offences for which the defendant was sentenced on constituted a breach of the conditions of the suspended sentence that was imposed upon him for that offence. l have seen the record of that conviction, and it appears that, on 6 May 2021, the defendant was sentenced for offences of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and bribery of a government official to a total period of imprisonment of five years, with the final six months suspended for two years, he stated.

The judge also regarded the submissions made on behalf of the prosecution and, on the other side, the matters set out in the pre-sentence report.

However, the judge noted that the defendant was considered as "high risk" of re-offending, he had shown no remorse, he did not cooperate with the police, he has previous convictions for drugs offences ;and by committing the instant offences, he had breached the conditions of the suspended sentence that was imposed on him from another case.

The other case was one of five years and six months imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years.

Accordingly the judge activated the suspended sentence as a consecutive sentence of 12 months.

The defendant was then sentenced to four years imprisonment on the instant case. While, the suspended sentence breached was activated which was 12 months, making it a total of five years imprisonment. He was also given credit for time he had already spent in custody.

The judge ordered for the illicit drugs and utensils to be destroyed and the cash of $982 pa’anga, NZD$50 and vehicle seized forfeited to the Crown.