A fisherman who pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana has been jailed for 18 months.
The decision against the 45-yearold father from Leone, Faauli Tapumanaia, was handed down by Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.
According the Police summary of facts, on 21 October, the police received information from someone that the two men walking on the seawall possessed marijuana.
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The men were stopped and searched by the Police in front of the Fire Station. During the search, the Police found a small packet of cigarettes with 20 marijuana smokes.
“There is no future for anyone that commits this kind of offence,” Justice Vui said.
The Judge pointed out that the maximum penalty for marijuana has been increased to 14 years by Parliament to show how serious the offending is.
Justice Vui gave the defendant a starting point of three years in prison for the offence.
However, he made deductions for Tapumanaia’s early guilty plea as well as his previously clean Police record.
Justice Vui also raised the question of what has become of the second suspect who was caught with Tapumanaia. It was revealed that he was not charged.
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