Port Vila: suspended five months for 79.89 g of cannabis after 2021 search
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.
Taho Bong pleaded guilty at Port Vila on 19 May 2026 to unlawful possession of
cannabis and was sentenced on 9 July 2026.[1]
Police patrolling Fresh Wota 2 after reports of disorderly drinking on 25 December
2021 searched him and seized79.89 g of cannabis that tested positive.[1]He told
investigators he would only speak in court.[1]
Justice Josaia Naigulevu set a 16-month starting point, reduced it for his guilty
plea, first conviction, remorse and the long delay since 2021, and imposed five
months in prison suspended for twelve months.[1]Bong, aged 34 with four children,
must also complete fifty hours of community work and six months of supervision.[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.
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.
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.