By Linny Folau

'Emeline Haisila, 46, and Jayjay 'Ahome'e, 29, have been jailed after pleading guilty to possessing 1.10 grams of methamphetamine and drug utensils discovered during a police search of their Ha'alalo residence following information they were selling illicit drugs.

Hon. Acting Lord Chief Justice Afeaki sentenced the pair on 1 July in the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa. They each pleaded guilty to a joint charge of possession of methamphetamine and one count each of possession of drug utensils. 'Emeline was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment, while Jayjay was sentenced to 12 months.

The court heard that on 11 August 2025, Police received information that the defendants, who were in a de facto relationship, were selling illicit drugs from a residence in Ha'alalo. Officers went to the house that evening and found them together in a room.

During a search, Police found a smoking pipe concealed on 'Emeline. Officers also located a Pall Mall cigarette packet containing 14 packets of a white substance, which both defendants admitted belonged to them. They also found two empty packets, a straw that 'Emeline admitted was used to consume drugs, and $250 cash in the room.

A further search by the Detector Dog Unit in the living room uncovered a pink bag on a sofa containing five empty packets. Officers also found another two empty packets and part of a smoking pipe on a shelf. Both defendants admitted ownership of those items.

Laboratory analysis later confirmed the 14 packets contained methamphetamine with a total weight of 1.10 grams.

The Crown submitted that aggravating factors included the widespread and growing problem of illicit drugs in Tonga and 'Emeline's previous convictions. Mitigating factors were the defendants' early guilty pleas and cooperation with Police.

According to the Probation Report, 'Emeline lived with her three children and two grandchildren at Jayjay's residence, where his siblings also lived. She admitted using methamphetamine to stay awake for extended periods while working, particularly during overnight shifts or when urgent work needed to be completed.

The Probation Officer noted this was the third pre-sentence report prepared for 'Emeline. On each previous occasion she had expressed remorse, regret and emotional distress over her offending, but had continued to commit similar drug-related offences.

The report expressed particular concern that illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia were present in a household occupied by her children and grandchildren, exposing vulnerable family members to potential harm and demonstrating disregard for their safety and wellbeing. She was assessed as presenting a high risk of reoffending because of her continued involvement with illicit drugs and previous convictions. The report concluded that without intervention and close monitoring, there was a substantial likelihood of further offending.

Jayjay's Probation Report stated he was the eldest of seven children and that both his parents were deceased. He had been living in a de facto relationship with 'Emeline for more than a year and acknowledged they were both involved with illicit drugs.

He admitted to the Probation Officer that his primary source of income was selling illicit drugs, earning about $800 to $1,000 a week. He acknowledged both using and selling drugs, accepted the summary of facts and said the drugs were possessed for personal use and to generate income. He expressed remorse and asked the court for leniency.

The report also noted that on 5 February 2026 he was convicted of possession of drug utensils and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, fully suspended for one year on condition that he complete 40 hours of community work. He failed to comply with those conditions and was assessed as presenting a high risk of reoffending.

In his sentencing remarks, Lord Chief Justice Afeaki said methamphetamine continued to cause serious harm in Tonga, destroying families, affecting communities and often leading to further offending.

He said the defendants were found with 1.10 grams of methamphetamine divided into 14 individual packets, along with empty packets, a smoking pipe, a straw and $250 cash. Those circumstances suggested the drugs were not solely for personal use, a conclusion supported by Jayjay's admission that he sold drugs and earned his income from doing so.

The judge said 'Emeline's offending was more serious because of her previous convictions for similar offences and her repeated involvement with illicit drugs despite expressing remorse on earlier occasions.

"It is most unfortunate for her children and grandchildren that she will be imprisoned, but her continuing to break the law several times forces the court to act, partly to protect them from the dangers of drugs," he said.

He said he was particularly concerned the offending occurred in a household occupied by children and grandchildren, exposing vulnerable family members to harm and demonstrating disregard for their safety and wellbeing.

In relation to Jayjay, the judge said that although he had only one previous conviction, he admitted using and selling methamphetamine, drug dealing was his primary source of income, and he had failed to comply with the conditions of his previously suspended sentence.

The judge said these matters aggravated his offending and demonstrated a high risk of reoffending. He said sentences for offending of this nature must place significant weight on deterrence and denunciation, sending a clear message that possession and sale of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs would not be tolerated in Tonga.

'Emeline was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment. Jayjay was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, which included the six-month sentence previously imposed by the lower court that had been suspended but was revoked and reactivated because of these offences.

The court also ordered both defendants to complete drug and alcohol awareness and life skills courses while serving their prison sentences. The methamphetamine, drug utensils and cash seized by Police were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.