Tinofili Perenise, 28, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of a utensil used for consuming drugs.[1] Perenise received one year and ten months in prison for possession of marijuana and three months for possession of the utensil to be served concurrently, making one year and ten months in total.[1] Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke told Perenise he was a drug dealer who sold marijuana to fund his addiction.[1] Perenise admitted that the proceeds from selling marijuana supported his drug addiction.[1] Justice Clarke warned that anyone entering the business of selling narcotics, including marijuana, should expect a stern response from the courts.[1]
Police searched a property at Tafaigata in June, where Perenise was with four other men.[1] During the search, officers found a bag on top of a box containing 45 marijuana cigarettes wrapped in foil weighing a total of 22.6 grams.[1] A glass pipe was also found inside the bag.[1] One occupant told police the bag belonged to him, but the marijuana cigarettes belonged to Perenise.[1]
The court treated the quantity of 45 cigarettes or 22.6 grams and the commercial intention behind the offending as aggravating factors.[1] The prosecution sought a starting point of three years imprisonment.[1] Justice Clarke said imprisonment was warranted to protect the community and to deter Perenise and others from similar offending.[1] The court took into account his early guilty plea, personal circumstances and remorse, including the remorse he showed when addressing the court.[1] Justice Clarke declined defence counsel’s request for an alternative sentence given the circumstances of the offending.[1] Perenise’s mother was given an opportunity to speak before sentencing and pleaded with the court on behalf of her son.[1]