Woman admits hiding marijuana in Colgate tube for prison inmate
Magistrate says those caught smuggling prohibited items into prisons should face the toughest penalties.
Monday 10 August 2026 | 15:00
Accused person, Adi Waqanitoga outside the Suva Magistrate Court on August 10, 2026.
Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu
Anyone found smuggling contraband into prisons will face harsh penalties.
Suva Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad issued the warning today when hearing the case of Adi Vuniasi Waqanitoga, 35, who pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle marijuana and suki into Naboro Maximum Security Prison on May 30.
Waqanitoga pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of 2.5 grams of cannabis sativa and unlawful entry of a prohibited article.
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The court heard that Waqanitoga intended to pass the prohibited items to her step-brother, Shalend Kumar, who is serving a long-term prison sentence.
At about 1.50pm on May 30, a prison officer noticed Waqanitoga blowing into a Colgate tube while she was standing outside a bus stop.
The officer became suspicious and alerted other officers, who inspected her belongings and asked for her identification.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Salote Bola said Waqanitoga handed over a plastic bag containing Colgate, toilet paper and fruits.
One of the officers opened the Colgate tube and pressed it, noticing that less Colgate was coming out of the cap.
When the tube was opened, officers found a suki roll and dried leaves, which later tested positive for 2.5 grams of marijuana.
Waqanitoga was body-searched and the matter was reported to Lami Police Station.
Magistrate Prasad expressed concern over visitors attempting to take contraband into prisons, saying such actions could lead to further problems inside correctional facilities.
"Because of the marijuana, the prisoners fight inside the prison after consuming that," he said.
“One problem leads to another and that is why, in all my debriefings with the prison officers, I always tell them to ensure no contraband gets in and that those found face the toughest penalties.”
Waqanitoga was reprimanded for her actions.
Legal Aid Commission lawyer Mesake Waqavanua was given until September 1 to submit his client's mitigation, with the court warning that if the case had been prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, a custodial sentence would likely be sought.
Waqanitoga remains on remand until then.
