A vaping device found in the possession of a man arrested by Police on Tongatapu last year was used to conceal methamphetamine.
Mosese Mafile’o Uasike, 39, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment with partial suspension after he pleaded guilty to three charges of having 0.99 grams of methamphetamine.in his possession.
The court was told that on September 20, 2023 at around 10.30 pm, a tip-off prompted Police to raid Uasikee’s house in Kolomotu’a.
Upon arrival at the front side of the Wesleyan Church hall the Police noticed a black car dropping off a person before it left. The vehicle returned a short time later before the accused approached it.
By this time the Police made their move and arrested Mafile’o.
He attempted to get rid of a vape device but the Police immediately seized it.
He was searched and all that was found upon him was $200 cash.
The Police opened the device and found one pack containing five packs with a white substance inside and one pack also containing white substance.
Justice Cooper sentenced Uasike to eight months’ imprisonment, the last four months suspended for one year on conditions.
His sentence was then back dated to his first remand in police custody on 12 March this year.
All drugs and paraphernalia were forfeited and ordered to be destroyed. The cash seized also forfeited.
