Vanuatu’s Supreme Court convicted Urata crew members Assak Takau, Martin Kasso and Raynold Paul Philip after each pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of cannabis.[1] Takau was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 60 hours of community work.[1] Kasso was sentenced to 8 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 50 hours of community work.[1] Philip was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, with 40 hours of community work.[1] Each man was placed under supervision for 12 months.[1] Each man was ordered to attend a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme as part of that supervision.[1] The court ordered the seized cannabis to be destroyed immediately.[1] The sentences were imposed in Port Vila on 29 July 2025.[1]
On 23 October 2024 the Police Drugs Unit received information from the owner of the Urata Riki that crew members were involved in cannabis activity.[1] Police searched the men and their personal effects when the ship arrived at the wharf and found each of them in possession of cannabis.[1] Takau, the ship’s captain, was found with 0.58 kilograms of dried cannabis plant material in 12 packages inside a black shopping bag.[1] Kasso was found with 107.5 grams of dried cannabis in four packages inside a black basket.[1] Philip was found with 7.25 grams of dried cannabis in two packages inside a handmade basket.[1] Forensic testing confirmed all the exhibits were cannabis, and all three men admitted possession when cautioned on 24 October 2024.[1]
Urata Shipping owner John Amos, the Tongoa member of parliament, later addressed how domestic vessels were being used to transport marijuana around Vanuatu.[2] He spoke as someone affected by the trade because his former captain Takau and two other crew members had been caught in possession of drugs by police in October the previous year.[2] He described the shipping routes as a drug superhighway serving many islands, naming Epi in particular.[2]