A MEMBER of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, Apenisa Matadigo, appeared at the Nadi Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged in relation to the seizure of 4.8kilograms of methamphetamine last week.
The suspended officer appeared alongside 40-year-old Viliame Nalago and 25-year-old Are Tania.
The men were each charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs with Mr Matadigo also facing a charge of possession of property believed to be proceeds of crime, for the $470 in cash found on him.
Mr Matadigo’s lawyer, Alitia Mario, made an application for her client to be bailed citing Section 26 of the Illicit Drugs Act which made references to undercover police officers.
She said her client’s safety was at risk if he was remanded.
She said Mr Matadigo, who began his career in the Force’s Intelligence Unit, was also still an active police officer.
In response, senior police prosecutor Inspector Parmesh Chand said they opposed the trio’s bail because the case was a matter of public interest and the safety of the community had to be considered.
He said Mr Matadigo had been suspended from the bureau by the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, and this was confirmed during a Skype call early yesterday morning.
Ms Mario also made an application for a closed court, highlighting that sensitive information related to her client would be shared.
She said Mr Matadigo was a member of the Counter Narcotics Bureau which dealt with sensitive issues related to illicit drugs.
Magistrate Semi Babitu said the closed court application should be dealt with in a separate hearing.
He also refused the trio’s bail stating they be remanded for the safety of the public and that their case was related to illicit drugs which has become a growing problem in Nadi.
Their case has been transferred to the High Court in Lautoka for mention on June 2.
