Defence lawyer Lavenia Bogitini has described the conspiracy charges laid by the State against seven people linked to the Vatia drug bust as dangerous, arguing that the case relies heavily on police surveillance and falls short of the required evidentiary standard.
Representing fifth accused Jonathan Hill, Ms Bogitini told the High Court of Fiji in Ba yesterday that disclosures served on her client revealed no clear evidence of a conspiracy, adding that the Fiji Police Force was “not advanced” in the manner evidence had been gathered and presented regarding the 2.6-tonne cocaine seizure at Vatia Wharf in Tavua.
She said her client had been in remand for 41 days and sought bail, objecting to the prosecution’s request for more time to provide information when, she argued, there was no direct or clear proof supporting the conspiracy charge.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku told the court that the State was strongly opposing bail at this stage and was seeking additional time to respond, proposing that all bail applications be heard together once each defence position was clearly stated.
He said 117 statements had so far been disclosed for the first six accused and that the State’s responses would be filed collectively once all relevant information was before the court.
The initial six men charged over the alleged drug trafficking operation intercepted at Vatia include Australian national Bainivalu Suguturaga, Fiji national Munendra, and Ecuadorian fishermen Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga and Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez.
A further five accused—John Taotawa, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Jonathan Hill, Iliesa Cokanasiga and Ponipate Mateyawa—were arrested in Nadi on January 17 following the major drug bust. Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau, Sunia Kobululevu, Trevis Cheer and Anaseini Lisa Kinikinilau Rokolati also face multiple charges, including conspiracy.
It is alleged the accused conspired with others to unlawfully transport, transfer and store 2.6445 tonnes of cocaine and other illicit drugs.
Mr Kobululevu faces an additional charge of criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening members of the Fiji Police Force through a social media post on January 28.
Mr Saladrau and Ms Rokolati are charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs after allegedly being found with 0.8122 grams of methamphetamine, while Mr Saladrau also faces a charge of destroying evidence for allegedly damaging a mobile phone to prevent its contents being used in court.
Eight of the accused have applied for bail, and the matter has been adjourned to March 20.
