A young man who sold marijuana to fund his drug addiction has been sentenced to one year and ten months in prison, with the Judge issuing a stern warning to drug dealers.
Tinofili Perenise, 28, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of a utensil used for consuming drugs.
Appearing for sentencing on the 1st of October 2026 before Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke, the young man was given a stern talking to by the judge, who said the charges warranted a custodial sentence.
“You are a drug dealer. You sell marijuana to fund your addiction,” the Judge said.
The Court heard that police searched a property at Tafaigata in June, where Perenise was with four other men.
During the search, police officers found a bag on top of a box. The bag contained 45 marijuana cigarettes wrapped in foil, weighing a total of 22.6 grams.
A glass pipe was also found inside the bag.
One of the occupants told police that the bag belonged to him, but the marijuana cigarettes belonged to Perenise.
Justice Clarke said Perenise had acknowledged selling marijuana during his interview with the Probation Service and when addressing the Court.
He also admitted that the proceeds supported his drug addiction.
The quantity of marijuana being 45 cigarettes or 22.6 grams, and the commercial intention behind the offending were identified as aggravating factors by the Court.
“Anyone who might think to get into the business of selling narcotics, whether it be marijuana or any other drugs, they should expect a stern response from the Courts,” Justice Clarke said.
The prosecution sought a starting point of three years’ imprisonment.
Justice Clarke said imprisonment was warranted to protect the community and deter Perenise and others from similar offending.
The Court took into account his early guilty plea, personal circumstances and remorse, including the remorse he demonstrated when addressing the court.
Justice Clarke declined Defense Counsel’s request for an alternative sentence given the circumstances of the offending.
The Court also took into account Perenise’s mother who had been given an opportunity to speak before sentencing. She pleaded with the Court on behalf of her son.
Perenise received one year and ten months’ imprisonment for possession of marijuana and three months for possession of the utensil to be served concurrently, meaning his total prison term is one year and ten months.
Justice Clarke urged Perenise to change his ways after his release and avoid causing further distress to his mother.
“What you saw yesterday in your mother’s address to the Court should weigh very heavily on you.”
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