The Suva Magistrates Court will deliver its sentence for Imran Khan, also known as "King Khan", next Tuesday.
Khan appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this afternoon after being convicted of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
State representative Bhavna Kantaria asked the court to impose a custodial sentence due to the serious nature of the offence.
In her sentencing submission, Kantaria said Fiji is becoming a hub for drugs and that a strong sentence would send a clear message to like-minded offenders to refrain from the use and sale of illicit drugs, as the courts will not show leniency.
She said the maximum penalty under the Crimes Act is life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1 million.
Kantaria told the court that the matter falls under Category One, involving up to 500 grams of illicit drugs, which carries a sentencing range of two-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment.
She added that, in respect of the defendant's culpability and degree of responsibility, the State submits that Khan's actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the law prohibiting the possession of hard drugs such as methamphetamine.
The State noted, however, that the facts of the case do not indicate whether the drugs were intended for personal consumption or commercial purposes.
Kantaria said drugs are a menace to society and that by being found in possession of methamphetamine, the accused contributed to the continuation of that problem.
She argued that he should be punished in a manner that reflects public denunciation of drug use.
Khan's lawyer, Shayal Kant, asked the court to consider a suspended sentence, saying his client is the sole breadwinner for his young family.
The defence also asked the court to take into account Khan's family circumstances, noting that he is the father of five children, with his youngest children aged six and two.
Khan was convicted of unlawful possession of illicit drugs after he was found with 4.1364 grams of methamphetamine in Suva on 7 February 2023.
