I find harsh sentences are warranted to deter people from possessing and using this highly addictive drug and to protect the young people from this menace in this country.”

The comment was made by Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne while sentencing 44-year-old businessman of Nausori, Ravindra Singh yesterday.

He was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment with a non-parole period of two years for one count of possession of illicit drugs.

Magistrate Somaratne said the prosecution proved that on March 23, 2018, Singh had in his possession, without lawful authority 0.2 grams of methamphetamine, an illicit drug which is commonly known as “ice”.

After getting information, the Police raided Singh’s yard in Manoca, Nausori on that day and decided to search Singh in his office.

Before they conducted a strip search, Singh took the plastic containing some white crystals from his underwear and handed it to the search team.

The same was analysed in the Fiji Police Forensic Laboratory and found to be 0.2 grams of Methamphetamine.

Magistrate Somaratne said the maximum penalty for possession of drugs under the Illicit Drugs Control Act is life imprisonment and or $100,000 fine.

“The accused had in his possession 0.2 grams of methamphetamine and hence he falls into category 1 with a sentencing range of two and a half years to four and a half years imprisonment.

“You are operating a business which specialised and handles oil spill and chemical spills in the country.

“You are currently in a relationship and your partner is five months pregnant and are supporting your partner and elderly mother.

“In deciding your final sentence, I would also consider the harm this drug would cause to society.

“Recently, the Fiji Police revealed that Nakasi-Nausori corridor has been identified as the main market of methamphetamine in Fiji.

“Hence, I find harsh sentences are warranted to deter people from possessing and using this highly addictive drug and to protect the young people from this menace in this country,” Magistrate Somaratne said.

Singh was sentenced to a period of two years and seven months imprisonment, however, the court heard that Singh was in remand after his conviction on August 22, 2019.

Magistrate Somaratne said the remand period was to be taken as the period Singh had already served pursuant to section 24 of the Sentencing and Penalties Act.

“To reflect that I deduct one month from Singh’s final sentence.”

Accordingly, Singh was sentenced to serve two years and six months in the correction centre with a non-parole period of two years.

Singh was given 28 days to appeal

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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