The Suva High Court has handed a 25 year old man a harsh custodial sentence for cultivating Marijuana.
On 7th January 2015 Inoke Ratu was weeding his Marijuana Farm in Tavuki Kadavu when he was confronted by police officers.
Ratu then confessed to the Police that the Farm belonged to him and he was charged with unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs namely Marijuana.
Ratu cultivated approximately 26.4 kilograms of the cannabis sativa- a total of 228 plants on the island of Kadavu.
Justice Salesi Temo had rejected Ratu’s claim that he was allegedly assaulted by Police.
The Judge said Ratu did not complaint to any magistrate or on the first appearance at the High Court of any injuries.
Ratu has a non parole period of 12 years.