A locked master bedroom, sealed drums, and cartons marked “Kadavu Kava” were among the suspicious items found inside a Nadi house now at the centre of a major drug trial.
The High Court in Lautoka yesterday heard the testimony of a realtor and caretaker about the rushed rental of the property secured in cash by accused man Jale Aukerea, who allegedly claimed it was for “overseas workers”.
Both witnesses said they later entered the master bedroom and found boxes, aluminium foil-covered mirrors and other items now under police investigation.
State and defence lawyers yesterday questioned the realtor and caretaker of a property in Nadi where the methamphetamine consignment was stored after being transported from Legalega.
Property realtor:
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku asked the witness if he could recall what he was doing on January 12, 2024.
The witness said he received a call a day before from the company’s branch in Suva that a client was coming to view a property to be used for their workers coming from overseas.
Upon reaching the property, the witness said the client was already there waiting for his business partner Jale Aukerea, one of the accused persons in the case.
The witness said the client and Mr Aukerea wanted a well-secured house on its own with CCTV cameras.
The court heard they were introduced to the caretaker by the witness then they went inside the house for a viewing.
Satisfied with the property, the witness said, Mr Aukerea wanted to move in the same day so the caretaker called the property owner who agreed to it.
He then told them that real estate policy required both parties to sign a tenancy agreement before occupancy but his client and Mr Aukerea insisted they wanted to move in on the same day.
The court heard Mr Aukerea paid a bond fee of $2500 in cash, which was given to the caretaker who then gave the keys to Mr Aukerea and the client.
The witness said he received a phone call from the landlady residing overseas that some of her belongings were still inside. He communicated this to his client, and it was agreed that the belongings be moved the Monday after January 20, 2024, when Mr Aukerea intended to move into the house.
The court heard that on January 22, the witness called his client regarding the tenancy agreement, but was told to speak to Mr Aukerea as he was occupying the house.
The witness said the caretaker wanted to take the landlady’s refrigerator and television from the property before Mr Aukerea moved in. Mr Aukerea agreed but told them not to enter any of the rooms.
The court heard the witness and the caretaker went to the property and entered the house together. He observed that all rooms were open except for the master bedroom, which was locked.
The witness said he entered the master bedroom with the caretaker and they saw large boxes inside. As well, they saw blue sealed drums, bags labelled Kadavu Kava and a small mirror covered with aluminium foil.
Mr Aukerea’s lawyer, Edwin Wainiqolo, asked the witness to clarify specifically whether Mr Aukerea wanted to move into the house, or for his workers to move in.
The witness responded saying Mr Aukerea had said he wanted his workers to move in. He was asked whether he, his client and Mr Aukerea negotiated the terms of the lease again. The witness responded saying it was for a year, and the lessee would be his client and Mr Aukerea.
The witness told the court that when he called the following day to get details of the lease agreement, his client said he had nothing to do with it and to talk to Mr Aukerea.
After discussing this, Mr Aukerea told the witness the tenancy agreement would be sent the Monday after the weekend that Mr Aukerea intended to move in; however, this was never sent.
Property caretaker:
Mr Rabuku questioned the female caretaker on the ownership of the property. The witness told the court her sister who owned the property resided overseas and she was only its caretaker.
In cross-examination, the witness said the initial bond fee was $2800, however, the client and the first witness requested that this be lowered. The three negotiated and agreed on the amount of $2500 after which she gave the house keys to Mr Aukerea.
The witness said the refrigerator and an inflatable swimming pool packaged in a carton were in the master bedroom.
Upon entering the master bedroom, she went to the washroom, noticed the mirror was damaged and saw numerous cartons with white stickers.
She told the court that on January 20, 2024, Mr Aukerea’s neighbours called her sister overseas telling her the police were at the property.
The court heard the caretaker then called the first witness who informed her the police were raiding the property for drugs. She then went to the property the same day and observed there were fewer cartons in the house than before.
Mr Wainiqolo questioned the witness on whether the police had given a search warrant before raiding the house. The witness said no and that she only knew about the raid after the neighbours contacted her sister, who then contacted her.
Next week:
Mr Rabuku has filed an application for Sakiusa Tuva and Cathy Tuirabe, two of the nine charged in the case, to be produced in court next week to give evidence.
The court heard one of the immunity witnesses who was supposed to be present in court this week to give evidence was yet to be located, however, he did initially complain that he was constantly receiving threats.
The State urged the witness to file a police report about this.
Mr Rabuku told the court police officers would be cross-examined on Monday when the trial continues.
