THE authenticity of drugs still held as court exhibits cannot be independently ascertained until they are tested.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu shared this while addressing the media on the disappearance of more than 40 parcels of cocaine from the High Court in Suva exhibit room in cases linked to former Australian horse trainer John Nikolic and Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman.
Mr Tudravu said police had no security role over exhibits once they were deposited in the court exhibit room, meaning the security of those exhibits rested with the judiciary.
He said the court had its own security arrangements, including CCTV, biometric access and standard operating procedures governing access to the exhibit room.
“The security at the places depends on the judiciary,” he said.
Mr Tudravu said discussions were underway on security arrangements following the establishment of the Ministry of Policing after the functions were shifted from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said he had already approved the deployment of police officers to secure and guard the Government House complex.
When asked whether other courthouses should be checked for similar issues, Mr Tudravu said this formed part of ongoing discussions with the Attorney-General, Siromi Turaga, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Nancy Tikoisuva and permanent secretary for Justice Selina Kuruleca.
He said he could not confirm whether a full audit of exhibits at other courthouses would be carried out because that decision rested with the judiciary.
