The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has successfully obtained a Restraining Order and a subsequent Forfeiture Order targeting properties suspected to be linked to serious drug-related offences.
The civil forfeiture application, filed under sections 19C to 19E of the Proceeds of Crime Act, was pursued in the case of State v. Alzaid Ali and Grace Katia Luivoliga.
A non-conviction-based forfeiture allows the ODPP to seek the seizure of property suspected to be the proceeds of crime independently of ongoing criminal proceedings.
Both respondents, Alzaid Ali and Grace Katia Luivoliga, are currently facing drug-related charges, with their case before the Lautoka High Court.
The Lautoka High Court (Civil Jurisdiction) granted the ODPP’s application to restrain and forfeit properties that include a white Honda Fit Shuttle, registration number MH 673, a black Audi, registration number MQ 975, $75,831 held in a Westpac bank account belonging to Alzaid Ali, $23,076.73 held in a Westpac bank account belonging to Grace Katia Luivoliga and $6,300 found in Mr Ali’s possession at the time of arrest and currently held in the Lautoka Police Station exhibit safe
The ODPP emphasized its commitment to disrupting criminal enterprises by targeting the financial benefits derived from crime.
“Seizing assets linked to criminal activity is a critical tool in our fight against organised crime and drug-related offences,” the office stated.
