Deputy Director for Public Prosecutions John Rabuku says the intended recipient of the methamphetamine haul was first accused, Justin Ho.
During the closing submissions by the State at the High Court in Lautoka today, Mr Rabuku said the first accused was one of the masterminds in the bringing of the drugs into Fiji.
Justin Ho (1st accused), David Heritage (2nd accused), Louie Logaivau ( 3rd accused), Ratu Aporosa Davelevu (4th accused), Sakiusa Tuva (5th accused), Jale Aukerea (6th accused), Ratu Osea Levula (7th accused), Cathy Tuirabe(8th accused) and Viliame Colawaliku appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge.
Mr Rabuku said Mr Ho acted voluntarily and jointly with Australian drug syndicate Sam Amine, the landlord of the warehouse at Denarau, in its arrangement from outside of Fiji.
Mr Ho had also acted jointly with the second accused, David Heritage, in the transfer of it from the super yacht to the barge Mobby II in December 2023.
The Deputy Director said that Mr Ho held the keys to the David Marine Repairs, owned by Heritage and instructed that a stock take of the drugs be done by his employees Lepani Biudole and Louie Logaivau (third accused).
Mr Rabuku said that Mr Ho instructed that the methamphetamine be moved to Sam Amine’s Warehouse, where Mr Ho owns a barber shop, a car wash, and an apartment.
The drugs were initially stored at David Marine Repairs and at the residence of Mr Ho at the Sam Amine’s warehouse at Industrial Road, Denarau.
According to Mr Rabuku : “Sam Amine is Justin Ho’s boss”.
“Justin Ho rents or looks after Sam Amine’s Warehouse on Industrial Road, Denarau which is approximately 100 or 150 metres from his own David Marine Repairs Shop,” Mr Rabuku said.
“He has known Justin Ho for few years as Justin would come to his office to check on Sam Amine’s boats and Jet skis when they are under repair.”
Meanwhile, Mr Ho had chosen to remain silent during the submissions of evidence from the defence counsels last week.
He also remained silent when the Prosecution had closed its case, and the Court ruled that there was a case to answer for Mr Ho.
Judgement in the 4.15 tonnes methamphetamine case has been set by the Lautoka High Court for July 31.
More details are in tomorrow’s Fiji Times Edition.
