Blacksands: Rota Tari gets three months suspended for 119 g of cannabis
Rota Tari pleaded guilty on 19 May 2026 to possessing 119 g of cannabis found when police searched her room at Blacksands on 25 September 2021. On 3 July 2026 Justice Josaia Naigulevu sentenced her to three months in prison, fully suspended for six months, after a long delay since the search.
Rota Tari pleaded guilty at Port Vila on 19 May 2026 to unlawful possession of
cannabis contrary to section 2(62) of the Dangerous Drugs Act and was sentenced
on 3 July 2026.[1]
Police executed a search warrant on 25 September 2021 at the Blacksands home on
Efate where she lived with her aunt.[1]They found cannabis in her room; a
presumptive test was positive and the net weight was 119 g.[1]She admitted
the drugs in a recorded interview on 26 September 2021.[1]
Justice Josaia Naigulevu set a twelve-month starting point, discounted it for
her first conviction and guilty plea, and further reduced the term because of
the years-long delay and personal circumstances.[1]The end sentence is three
months’ imprisonment, suspended in full for six months.[1]The cannabis is to
be destroyed.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
Police in Luganville found 135 g of marijuana in Bakon Etul's basket during a traffic stop on 22 May 2026. The Supreme Court at Luganville on 18 September 2026 jailed him for eight months immediately, treating him as a fourth-time offender despite his guilty plea.
Seles Stephen Rokasia pleaded guilty after police searched his Chapuis home in Luganville on 6 March 2026 and found 45.34 g of cannabis for personal use. The Supreme Court at Luganville on 18 September 2026 ordered twelve months’ supervision with a drug programme and 100 hours of community work, and forfeited the drugs for destruction.
Taho Bong was sentenced at Port Vila on 9 July 2026 to five months in prison, fully suspended for twelve months with fifty hours of community work, after pleading guilty to possessing 79.89 g of cannabis found when police broke up a disturbance on 25 December 2021.
Tino Johnas pleaded guilty to possessing 1.83 g of cannabis after a police search in Freshwota 4 in 2022. The Supreme Court sentenced him on 1 April 2026 to complete 50 hours of community work within 12 months.