ONE of the accused in the Legalega methamphetamine trial, Ratu Osea Levula, told the Lautoka High Court today his trust was abused by his friend, co-accused Sakiusa Tuva.
Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Osea Levula and Cathy Tuirabe had pleaded guilty on June 3 this year for their roles in connection with the importation and possession of 4.15tonnes of methamphetamine between December 2023 and January 2024 at Legalega in Nadi.
However, Ratu Osea changed his plea to not-guilty on June 9.
On the stand in the Lautoka High Court, Ratu Osea claimed he did not know anything about the 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine.
He blamed his friend, Sakiusa Tuva, for placing him in a situation which led to his incrimination in the case.
He said he wanted to come to court and clear his name.
Ratu Osea claimed he was paid $200 by Sakiusa Tuva to do construction work at the house in Voivoi, Legalega in Nadi on December 30, 2023.
He said he had no knowledge that the house had consignments of drugs packed in containers.
During cross- examination, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku had put to Ratu Osea that he knew Sakiusa Tuva and other accused persons who had been granted immunity in the likes of Keanie Mcpherson, Iosefo Roqica and Maika Yabakivou, while pursuing studies at the Fiji National University.
Mr Rabuku put it to him that for all the years he had known Mr Tuva, he would have been curious about what was inside the house.
Mr Rabuku also said that he had evidence that on December 30, 2023, Ratu Osea was there to help Cathy Tuirabe transfer the drugs to Maqalevu.
“I suggest to you on the days that you and Cathy were at Voivoi in Legalega on the 10, 11 and 13 of January, 2024, as a matter of fact you were missing from your home,” Mr Rabuku said.
“On those days, the instructions from Sakiusa to you and Cathy were to act like a couple.
“Because that was part of the whole secret operations that you all were participating in.
“You were to be responsible for looking after the house outside and Cathy was supposed to be looking out for the inside of the house and from time to time do the packing of drugs.”
Ratu Osea denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Defence has formally closed its case.
The matter has been adjourned to July 11 for oral submissions from the State, while the Defence will submit its written submissions on July 14.
