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{\author Information Technology Unit}{\operator blake_r}{\creatim\yr2005\mo12\dy14\hr15\min8}{\revtim\yr2005\mo12\dy14\hr15\min21}{\printim\yr2003\mo3\dy21\hr11\min10}{\version3}{\edmins2}{\nofpages3}{\nofwords708}{\nofchars4039}
{\*\company Judicial Department}{\nofcharsws4738}{\vern16391}}\widowctrl\ftnbj\aenddoc\noxlattoyen\expshrtn\noultrlspc\dntblnsbdb\nospaceforul\hyphcaps0\formshade\horzdoc\dghspace180\dgvspace180\dghorigin1701\dgvorigin1984\dghshow0\dgvshow0
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\cs17\lang1024\langfe1024\noproof\insrsid2833956 3}}}{\cs17\insrsid81640 
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\f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI
\par AT SUVA
\par APPELLATE JURISDICTION
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 CRIMINAL APPEAL NO: HAA}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985 0}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 009 OF 2003S
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Between:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 AVENDRA NARAYAN
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Appellant
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 And:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 THE STATE
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Respondent
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 
\par Counsel:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Appellant in Person
\par Mr D. Prasad for State
\par 
\par Hearing:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 19th March 2003
\par Judgment:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985\charrsid1397985  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 24th March 2003
\par 
\par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 The Appellant was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on the following charge:
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Statement of Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 FOUND IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 C
ontrary to Section 8(b) of Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Decree No. 4 of 1990 and the Dangerous Drugs Act (Amendment) Decree No. 1 of 1991.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid1397985 Particulars of Offence
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1397985 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
AVENDRA NARAYAN s/o RUP NARAYAN on the 27th day of September, 2001 at Nausori in the Central Division was found in possession of 1404.2 grams of Dangerous Drug namely Indian hemp.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par The case was first called on 6th February 2002 and the Appellant, who was unrepresented, pleaded not guilty.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
He changed his plea on the 19th of November 2002.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 The prosecution outlined the facts.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 They were that on 27th September 2001, the police at Nausori received information that the Appellant was dealing in drugs.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 They searched his house and found 1404.2 grams of cannabis sativa.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 The Appellant admitted these facts and was convicted.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
He admitted 5 previous convictions, 2 of which were for the same offence.
\par 
\par In mitigation he called a witness, Mr Hari Karan, a Town Councillor and Justice of the Peace.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 He said that he was the Appellant
\rquote s employer.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 He said that the Appellant had 4 children and was the sole breadwinner in his family.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 He was a 30 year old married man.
\par 
\par The Court said:- \'93Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 I cannot impose a lighter sentence in this case in view of
 the quantity of Indian hemp found in accused\rquote s possession which is 1404.02g.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
It appears that the accused is trafficking drugs.\'94
\par 
\par The Appellant now appeals against this sentence, saying that it is harsh and excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 He expressed remorse and said that his
 incarceration would destroy his marriage.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
He said that although he had been in possession of a large amount of marijuana, he had kept it for his own use.
\par 
\par State counsel opposed the appeal saying that the maximum sentence was 20 years imprisonment, that the Appellant had previous convictions and that he must have been trafficking drugs with the large amount found.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
He very fairly pointed out that the charge did not refer to section 41(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, but submitted that this omission was not a defect which nullified the charge, or caused prejudice to the Appellant.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 I agree with him.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 Section 41(2) has in any event been repealed and replaced by the 1990 Dangerous Drugs Decree.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 The charge does refer to the section creating the offence, and to the section replacing the penalty provisions of section 41(2) of the Act.}{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 Section 119 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2833956 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 \'93
Every charge or information shall contain, and shall be sufficient if it contains, a statement of the specific offence or offences w
ith which the accused person is charged, together with such particulars as may be necessary for giving reasonable information as to the nature of the offence charged.\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par Section 122(a)(ii) provides that:
\par 
\par }\pard\plain \s18\ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid2833956 \f2\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 \'93
the statement of offence shall describe the offence
 shortly in ordinary language avoiding as far as possible the use of technical terms, and without necessarily stating all the essential elements of the offence, and if the offence charged is one created by enactment shall contain a reference to the sectio
n of the enactment creating the offence;\'94
\par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par In this case the enactment creating the offence was section 8(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
That enactment and the provisions of the Decrees amending the penalty provisions, were specified in the charge.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 Section 1
22 was therefore complied with.
\par 
\par In respect of the appeal against sentence, I do not consider the 5 year term to be manifestly excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
Although a Magistrate can now impose less than the former minimum statutory limit of 5 years, much depends on the amount of drugs found, and the reason for possession.
\par 
\par The Appellant does not agree that he was a drug dealer, but there is no denying that 1404.02 grams of marijuana is an excessive amount if he had kept it for his own use.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 Further, those in the drugs busines
s, who on apprehension disclose names and contacts of others involved in this destructive trade, may well deserve some leniency for assisting the police in their investigations.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 However, in this case the Appellant does not appear to have made any such disclosures.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{
\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 He did not deserve the leniency normally extended to first offenders, or youthful offenders.
\par 
\par In all the circumstances I do not consider that he erred in imposing the 5 year term.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1397985  }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 For these reasons this appeal is dismissed.

\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid2833956 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid2833956 Nazhat Shameem
\par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid2833956 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12139371 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid81640\charrsid12139371 
\par At Suva
\par 24th March 2003
\par }}