Vakarisi pleads guilty to drug charge, awaits sentencing

Drug accused Jone Vakarisi, 36, has pleaded guilty to a drug charge laid against him in 2023.

Well-known for his alleged involvement in drug circles, Vakarisi appeared before Resident Magistrate Vinaina Diroriroi today at the Suva Magistrate Court.

He faces one count of unlawful possession of 15.2 grams of marijuana and one count of damaging a police uniform.

The matter was called for hearing; however, he opted to enter a guilty plea.

In this case, Vakarisi, while in remand, received a package from his brother who visited him at the cellblock in the Suva Courthouse.

A police officer saw a brown package handed to Vakarisi and, upon requesting to search the package, the accused refused to comply.

Upon being taken into the cellblock, he was made to show the package, which contained dried leaves wrapped in plastic.

In mitigation, Vakarisi said he unintentionally broke the button on the policeman’s uniform because he was pepper-sprayed in the eyes.

He is willing to pay for the uniform damage, estimated at $47.50.

Seeking the court's forgiveness for his actions, Vakarisi admitted he took the drugs because he had been locked up for a while and the substance helped him relax mentally.

In mitigation, he stated he is now a father of five children and a sole breadwinner who earns more than $2,000 weekly from taro and grog trade, which supplements a BBQ business.

The matter was adjourned to November 27 for restitution check and sentencing.

He is currently on bail.