The Supreme Court has ordered the deportation of drug convict Paulo Afamasaga back to the United States.

He appeared before Justice Vui Clarence Nelson in the Supreme Court yesterday in a matter dating back to October 2012, when he pleaded guilty to the charges of possessing unlawful ammunition and illegal narcotics, namely .38 calibre bullet and methamphetamine and marijuana.

Handing down his ruling separately on the three charges, Justice Vui said for possessing 0.9 grams of marijuana, he is convicted and fined $500 which should be paid forthwith to avoid three months imprisonment. For being in possession of the bullet, he was fined $500 which should be paid forthwith to avoid getting a three month custodial sentence. And for being in possession of methamphetamine, he was fined $5000. The Judge advised that all fines—including $1073.10 which the Court ordered should be paid as costs for the Police ($573.10), Probation Office ($200) and Court costs ($300)—should be paid immediately to avoid going to jail. 

“You have also been ordered to pay costs of $1073.10 arising out of these charges. To meet those penalties, I order that your funds held by the Attorney General’s Office be transferred and disbursed—firstly $573 to the Police for their costs and the balance of $4000 to the Court to meet the partial payment of your fines.

“That leaves a balance on your fines of $2000 and a balance on your cost of $500, which means you will have to come up with $2500 forthwith in default of which you will serve a minimum of 12 months in prison,” he said.

Justice Vui also said he was deporting Paulo and he should leave the country within the next 24 hours and not return for three years.

“The second part of your penalty relates to leaving this country and adds up to this: within 24 hours you must depart this country and stay away for three years. 

“If you fail to do that you will be brought back before me for sentencing and I am sure you understand exactly what will happen if you are brought back before me,” he said.

Paulo’s travel documents will be released back to him after the fines and the costs are settled. 

Justice Vui further warned Paulo not to return from America as the penalty next time will be hefty.