FORMER national squash rep Justin Ho has been identified as the person “sitting right at the top” of the 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamine drug bust in Nadi.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku made this statement in the High Court in Lautoka yesterday, saying the DPPs had evidence he facilitated and instructed the transportation of the drugs to his warehouse.
Mr Ho appeared alongside two other accused persons —Louie Frank Penijamini Logaivau and Jale Aukerea.
Mr Rabuku said the three accused were at the height or top level of the drug bust.
The men are charged with possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime. It’s alleged the three were found in possession of cash — $2100.85 in local and overseas currency — that is suspected of being proceeds of crime on January 23 on Taveuni. Additionally, Mr Ho was charged with unlawful importation of illicit drugs between November 1 and December 23 last year.
It’s further alleged that Mr Ho and David Otto Heritage, who is out on bail, had facilitated the importation and were found in possession of 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi.
Mr Rabuku argued if Mr Ho was released on bail, he would repeat a similar offence of leaving Fiji’s jurisdiction.
“He and two others had left the jurisdiction of Viti Levu and went to Taveuni,” Mr Rabuku said.
Mr Rabuku said the second accused, Mr Logaivau, was Mr Ho’s boy, adding that “wherever Justin goes, Louie would follow”.
Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan said Mr Ho had already been granted bail by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court for this offence earlier this year.
He said his client had been in custody since January.
Mr Khan said the accused was nowhere to be seen in the 700 photographs given to them and was not directly involved in the transportation of the drugs.
He argued there was no evidence of Mr Ho being the organiser of the drugs.
He also objected to the State’s argument of Mr Ho being at the top of the list in the drug bust, adding it was based on allegations.
Justice Aruna Aluthge adjourned the bail hearing to June 7 while the substantive matter for the third accused Mr Aukerea would take place on June 3.
