Nukuʻalofa — A 39‑year‑old father of six has been jailed for 18 months after the Supreme Court of Tonga sentenced him for cultivating and possessing cannabis, along with the unlawful possession of drug utensils.
The sentence, delivered by Lord Chief Justice Bishop KC, drew attention not only to the seriousness of the offending but also to the severe consequences for the prisoner’s young family, who now face life without their sole provider.
Mekiloni Fotu Aso, a carpenter and part‑time plumber from Fuaʻamotu, pleaded guilty to three charges after police discovered 63 cannabis plants, 266 grams of packed cannabis, and drug‑smoking utensils during a search of his home on 14 July 2025.
He admitted ownership of the items and cooperated with police. The court found he played the role of a supplier, noting the need for deterrence and strong denunciation in drug‑related cases.
According to the pre‑sentence report, Aso is the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting six children aged between 15 years and six months. The court heard he had no previous criminal convictions and had maintained stable employment within his brother’s construction business.
His sudden imprisonment leaves his children without their primary source of financial support, a factor the judge acknowledged when ordering the return of TOP$390 seized during the police search, noting it belonged to the family and was needed for their welfare.
Despite Aso’s cooperation and early guilty plea, the court determined that the scale of cultivation and the presence of utensils used for consumption and distribution required a custodial response.
He was sentenced to 18 months, with the final six months suspended for two years on strict conditions, including probation supervision, reporting requirements, and mandatory participation in a drug and alcohol awareness programme. All other sentences for related counts were ordered to run concurrently.
Lord Chief Justice Bishop stressed that while this was Aso’s first offence, the seriousness of his actions could not be overlooked. However, he also acknowledged the impact on his children, stating that the return of the seized money was necessary given the family’s dependence on him for survival.
Aso will serve 12 months in custody, followed by six months suspended, during which he must remain offence‑free or risk serving the remaining term in full. His imprisonment, the court noted, stands as both a punishment for his offending and a stark reminder of the collateral damage experienced by families left behind.
