Results for Illicit Drugs

Nine people have been arrested with methamphetamine and cannabis at four different locations in Tongatapu, as Tonga Police continues operations to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs.

Suspended jail sentences were imposed on Kuliti Tongamoa for supplying cocaine to ‘Epeli Taione, who was found guilty of possession. Both maintained their innocence, which was disappointing particularly in Taione's case, said the Acting Supreme Court Judge, “as this sort of behaviour is a sure recipe for re-offending.”

The Police Tactical Response Group fired a pistol at the tyres of a meth offender in car chase, the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court was told by witnesses. Pangi Puloka (47) was found guilty of possessing 4.34 grams and 2.17 grams of methamphetamine, at Mata-ki-'Eua in 2020, after he tried to run down police officers, who were standing on a road to stop him.

Taufa Latuselu was sentenced to nine-months imprisonment, which was fully suspended for unlawful possession of illicit drugs by the Lord Chief Justice who said, had he been charged with supplying or if this offending occurred after the current amendments to the Illicit Drugs Control Act, full suspension would not have been available.

Four men were found guilty at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on numerous charges of possessing methamphetamine and cannabis at a home in Hofoa, where drug dealing was conducted. They will be sentenced on a later date.

Siosifa Fotu (37) is serving an imprisonment sentence of two-years and three-months for possession of 25.5 grams of methamphetamine seized, at Fou’i last year.

A 23-year-old soldier who was on-duty at the Makeke Quarantine Facility in Vaini was arrested with cannabis on Monday, January 25.

Sesilia Uaisele was found guilty on possession of 0.02 grams of methamphetamine, seized inside her co-accused vehicle at the bus station in Nuku'alofa. “A substantial amount of money was found in her bag and purse. Empty plastic packs were also found in the car. All these items are consistent with items possessed by someone dealing or using drugs,” said the judge, in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Siaosi Makaafi was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for possession of a cannabis plant, which weighed 48.33 grams. The sentence was fully suspended on conditions, at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.