Suspended term for drug accused Vakarisi

Drug accused Jone Vakarisi was given a suspended jail term after admitting to drug possession and damaging a police uniform while in custody.

Vakarisi appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa at the Suva Magistrate Court today.

He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to offences committed in 2023.

The court heard the incident occurred inside the courthouse cell block while Vakarisi was on remand. A police officer saw him receive a brown package from his brother. When officers attempted to search it, he refused.

A later inspection found 15.2 grams of dried leaves wrapped in plastic, which were confirmed to be marijuana.

Vakarisi also admitted to damaging a police uniform during the incident.

In mitigation, he told the court he accidentally broke a button after being pepper-sprayed in the eyes and said he was willing to pay for the damage.

Magistrate Daurewa ordered that he must not reoffend during the two-year suspension period.

The Fiji Police Force has been directed to destroy the seized drugs within 28 days.

Vakarisi has 28 days to appeal the sentence.

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