A 23-year-old woman of Vaivase-Uta and Lufilufi who allegedly smuggled methamphetamine into Tanumalala Prison was advised to speak to her lawyer and understand the seriousness of the charges.

Sophia Ikenasio Ah Mann appeared in court on Wednesday represented by counsel Luaipou Ann Matalasi.

Ah Mann was initially charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine, namely four small zip-lock plastic bags, containing methamphetamine with a total weight of 0.74 grams.

According to the charging sheet before the court, the accused went to Tanumalala Prison on 23 November 2024 trying to smuggle into the prison methamphetamine which she knowingly had in her possession. At that time she was found with two small zip-lock plastic bags containing methamphetamine weighing 0.70 grams.

A search was then conducted of the accused's vehicle at Tanumalala Prison where two more small zip-lock plastic bags containing 0.04 grams of methamphetamine were found.

The accused is alleged to have tried and smuggled these narcotics to her partner who is at the moment serving time at the Tanumalala Prison.

Judge Justice Leiataualesa Darryl Clarke adjourned this matter to 13 March for defence counsel, Luaipou to obtain full instructions on the charges against the defendant.

This is also a chance for Luaipou to have negotiations with her client if she wishes to change her plea from not guilty to guilty to both charges against her before the court.

Justice Leiataualesa told the defendant to remain on her bail conditions and to re-appear on the date mentioned for her matter to be called again in the Supreme Court.

Prosecuting this matter is counsel Maiavatele Timothy Fesili.

Pursuant to section 7 (10(a) and section 18 (a) of the Narcotics Act 1967, these charges carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.