State counsels John Rabuku and Joeli Nasa today urged the Lautoka High Court to consider the devastating social, economic, and political consequences of the 4.15-tonne methamphetamine haul when sentencing the nine accused.
Appearing before Justice Aruna Aluthge, the prosecution emphasised that the drugs — valued at an estimated $2 billion — were of exceptionally high purity.
“The traffickers would have been able to cut the purity down, mix it with other substances, and increase the quantity to make even greater profits,” the State submitted.
They warned that had the shipment not been intercepted, its sale would have generated vast sums of “dirty money” laundered into regional and international economies, fuelling the “dark and underworld economy” marked by drug trafficking, violence, human trafficking, cybercrime, terrorism, and other serious transnational offences.
“The ripple effects on our already vulnerable and under-resourced Pacific communities, including Fiji, would be unfathomable,” the prosecutors said, citing inevitable spikes in narcotics-related crime, addiction, and pressure on police, courts, prisons, social services, and healthcare.
The State also warned of heightened corruption in law enforcement, border control, the justice system, and even among politicians to facilitate the trade.
“The cost on our governments will skyrocket. Development will be stifled, poverty will rise, and the spread of HIV and AIDS through drug use would become the norm as society descends into moral decay,” the submission read.
They argued that the court should view the offences through this lens, noting that drug lords continue to “live lavish lifestyles, bribing corrupt officials to perpetuate their despicable trade.”
Justice Aluthge is expected to hear mitigation from defense lawyers next Wednesday.