Four of the nine people charged in connection with the discovery of 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine at Legalega in Nadi between 2023 and 2024 have pleaded guilty to the charges.
David Heritage, Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Osea Levula and Cathy Tuirabe pleaded guilty at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.
Justin Ho, Frank Louie Logaivau, Aporosa Davelevu, Jale Aukerea and Viliame Colowaliku are facing similar charges.
Mr Ho, Mr Logaivau and Mr Aukerea are also charged with having property suspected of being proceeds of a crime.
The accused persons appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge while Deputy Director for Public Prosecutions John Rabuku and co-counsel Joeli Naivalu represented the State.
Mr Rabuku filed the amended consolidated information which was read out in court.
David Heritage pleaded guilty to a count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and a separate count of unlawful possession. Sakiusa Tuva admitted to three counts of unlawful possession while Ratu Osea Levula and Cathy Tuirabe pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
Mr Heritage’s guilty plea reduced the number of witnesses who were supposed to be called yesterday as they comprised the crew members and captain of the barge that allegedly went out to get the drugs.
Justice Aluthge suggested that another pretrial conference be held on Friday before the trial proper the following week.
The matter has been adjourned to June 6 for mention while the trial will commence on June 9.
