Louie Logaivau, described during trial as “Mr. Justin Ho’s boy,” has been jailed for 25 years imprisonment, eligible for parole after serving 18 years in prison
He was found guilty of several charges related to the importation and possession of a record-breaking 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine.
The Lautoka High Court found Logaivau guilty of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and engaging in the transport of the massive consignment.
However, he was found not guilty on two counts, including a charge of possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
During the trial, Logaivau claimed he was threatened by Justin Ho, his boss at a car wash business, to take part in the drug operation.
He told the court that he was scared for his family after Ho told him that Russian “mafia” figures had seen him and would harm his sister.
Logaivau’s testimony detailed how he was instructed to move containers of drugs and how he later joined Ho and co-accused Jale Aukerea in an attempt to flee the country to avoid the “mafia crew.”