Repeat offender jailed 18 months for 43 g cannabis in Popua
Sati’o Matakaiongo, 43, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for possessing 43.07 grams of cannabis seized in Popua. His 23-year-old co-accused received a suspended sentence in the Fasi Magistrate’s Court.
Sati’o Matakaiongo, 43, was described as a repeat offender.[1]He was serving
18 months imprisonment for possession of cannabis.[1]His 23-year-old
co-accused received a suspended sentence in the same case.[1]Both sentences
were imposed in the Fasi Magistrate’s Court.[1]
The case involved 43.07 grams of cannabis seized in Popua.[1]
Matakaiongo had earlier been found guilty of cannabis possession in Popua.[2]That earlier guilty finding concerned possession in Popua in April of that year.[2]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
No separate sentencing date was reported; 24 June 2025 is the publication date of the sentencing report and stands in for the event date.
The sentencing article is paywalled beyond its opening summary, so no plea, prior record, seizure circumstances, arrest details, or length of the co-accused’s suspended sentence were reported.
No arrest figure, court case number, or value estimate was reported.
Acting Justice Langi sentenced Folauhola Palanite, 40, to 21 months in prison, with the final six months suspended, and gave his wife Mele, 36, a 15-month term fully suspended for two years at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on 22 October 2026. The couple had admitted possessing 40.07 grams and 3.89 grams of cannabis, along with drug utensils.
Viliami Taulafo, 34, was given a fully suspended 18-month prison term at Tonga's Supreme Court for possessing 200.98 grams of cannabis found at his Talafo'ou home. Police seized the cannabis in a February raid, and the court suspended the custodial term for two years with probation, a drug programme and community service.
Tonga's Supreme Court sentenced Mekiloni Fotu Aso to 18 months in prison, with the final six suspended, after police found 63 cannabis plants and 266 grams of cannabis at his Fua'amotu home in July 2025. He pleaded guilty to cultivation, possession and utensils charges; the court ruled he was a supplier.
Kilisitina Finau, 34, was sentenced to two years in prison in Nuku'alofa on charges including possession of 484.43 grams of cannabis. Her 23-year-old co-offender Lesieli Makasini was found guilty of possessing a smaller amount and received a suspended sentence.