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HAA}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 0}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 020}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 .}{ \f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 2004B \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 BETWEEN:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 TEVITA VEREALAWA \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 APPELLANT \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 AND:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qj \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 THE STATE \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 RESPONDENT \par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par Appellant In Person \par Ms Sofia Shah for the Respondent \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Hearing:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 27 July, 2004 \par Judgment:}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 }{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 24 August 2004 \par \par }\pard \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 JUDGMENT \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard\plain \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 On 13 October 2003 the Appellant was sentenced, to 3 months imprisonment for the following offence}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 :}{\f0\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Statement of Offence \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 GROWING INDIAN HEMP}{ \b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 : }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Contrary to section 8 (a) and 41 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act Cap. 114 and the Dangerous Dru gs (Amendment) Decree No. 4 of 1990 and the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Decree No. 1 of 1991. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 TEVITA VEREALAWA on the 19th day of October 2002, at Labasa in the Northern Division, was found growing 2 plants of Indian Hemp. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par On the same day the Appellant was also sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for the following offence}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 :}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par \par }\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Statement of Offence \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 FOUND IN POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS}{ \b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 : }{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Contrary to section 8 (b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act Cap. 114 as amended by the Dangerous Drugs (Ame ndment) Decree No. 4 of 1990 and the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment Decree) No. 1 of 1991. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard\plain \s15\qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \f37\fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Particulars of Offence \par }\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 \fs20\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \ql \li720\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin720\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 TEVITA VEREALAWA, on the 18th day of October 2002, at Labasa in the Northern Division, was found in possession of 375.9 grams of dangerous drugs namely Indian Hemp botanically known as CANNABIS SATIVA. \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par The learned Magistrate decided the two sentences to be served concurrently.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The Appellant now appeals against the sentence. \par \par The facts of the case are as follows.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 On consecutive dates of 18th and 1 9th October 2002, the police, acting upon information, searched the Appellant\rquote s flat at Naodamu, Labasa.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 They recovered two plants which were confirmed by the Government analyst, to be Indian Hemp, and in addition found 17 plastic bags and 42 sachets the c ontents of which were found by the Government analyst to be dried Indian Hemp leaves of some 375.9 grams in total weight.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The Appellant admitted both offences. \par \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The Appeal \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par The ground of appeal is that the sentence of 3 years was harsh and excessive considering the amount of illegal substance}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 found on him and also his mitigation. \par \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The Sentence \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par On Criminal Appeal No. 20 of 2004, the maximum penalty of growing Indian Hemp is 12 months imprisonment.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The learned Magistrate had however sentenced the Appellant to only 3 months imprisonment, the minimum sentence for the offence.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 In Criminal Appeal No. 21 of 2004, the}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 learned Magistrate had imposed the maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment under the law for a person found in possession of up to 500 grams of dangerous drugs.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 For the State, Ms Shah argued that in respect of Criminal Appeal No. 20, the learned Magistrate had been too lenient given that the Appellant had previous convictions and the fact that such sentence to be concurrent with the sentence in Crimin al Appeal No. 21.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Ms Shah submitted that the 3 months sentence should have run consecutive to the 3 year sentence in Criminal Appeal No. 21. \par \par I have no cause to disturb the learned Magistrate\rquote s decision.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 In my view the sentence of 3 months for cultivating 2 Indian Hemp plants was appropriate.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 There were no previous convictions for similar offence, although the Appellant was in 2002 fined $100.00 for in possession of dangerous drugs.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Similarly, the sentence of 3 years imprisonment for Criminal Appeal No. 21, was neither harsh, nor excessive.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The learned Magistrate had considered the Appellant\rquote s similar previous conviction and the fact that the amount of drugs found on the Appellant was substantial.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The Court especially took note of the growing drug problems i n the Northern Division, and the social impact it had on the youth of the country.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 Under the circumstances it is important that the Court is also seen as playing its role in stopping the culture of drugs and its abuse, take a firm hold on the people in the Northern Division. \par \par As to the State\rquote s submission that the sentences should have been consecutive, I disagree.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 The learned Magistrate, in my view, had exercised his discretion correctly in making the lesser sentence run concurrent to the maximum sentence i n the other. Although they have their own minimum and maximum tarrifs prescribed by law, this does not take away the discretionary powers vested in the Court to order the sentences under them to be served concurrently so long as the sentences satisfy the minimum requirements set down. \par \par There are no redeeming feature or merits at all in the Appellant\rquote s appeal.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 His broken family is unfortunate, but if he adheres to his belief that there is nothing wrong with using drugs, a point he put across quite forcefully before this Court, then he should be prepared for the worse.}{ \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169 }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 One can only feel sorry for his family. \par \par The appeal is dismissed.}{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827 \par }{\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid1778169\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 F. Jitoko \par }{\b\fs24\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 JUDGE}{\b\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid1778169 {\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid8067827\charrsid1778169 \par At Labasa \par 24 August 2004 \par }}