FORMER Minister of Trade, Faiyaz Koya had officially opened the Sub-Zero Cafe, car wash and a barber shop operated by drug accused Justin Ho in July, 30, 2022, the Lautoka High Court heard today.
These businesses located at Denarau Island in Nadi have become a subject of discussion during the 4.15 methamphetamine drug trial.
Today, the third accused Louie Logaivau was asked by his lawyer, Mark Anthony, to tell the court what the former minister stated in his speech during the opening.
Mr Logaivau said Mr Koya told them that it was one of the first, in having a car-wash business and barber shop in Denarau, adding that it would not only benefit tourists but the locals as well.
Mr Logaivau said he was employed by Mr Ho since the opening, and he did not need to be interviewed as Mr Ho was looking for employees.
He said he was working as a barista at the Sub-Zero Cafe, however because of a fall out between the business partners, the Cafe had closed in December, 2022.
Mr Logaivau then worked for Mr Ho’s car wash business.
While taking the stand today at the Lautoka High Court, it was put to him by the State Counsel, Joeli Nasa put to Mr Logaivau that Mr Ho was operating those three businesses as a front for his illegal drug activities.
Mr Logaivau responded: “I would not know.”
Mr Nasa then put to it him “but based on your observations as an employee and somebody close to him, you can conclude that was a front”.
“Not until I had experienced what happened to me in December 2023 then I got suspicious about what was happening,” Mr Logaivau said.
Mr Nasa replied: “So, yes, it was possible that those three businesses were operating as a front.”
Meanwhile,Mr Logaivau also claimed that he was being kidnapped by a group of men in January last year and taken to a house in Saweni,Lautoka.
Despite his height and actual body size, Mr Logaivau told the court he was put inside a boot of a car by these individuals.
He said while entering the house he was taken to a bed room which only had a mattress, and was woken up the next morning by Justin Ho.
According to Mr Logaivau, he was informed by Mr Ho that they would need to go to Taveuni that morning as the police and some individuals whom he did not name were after them.
State Counsel, Joeli Nasa told him during cross examinations : ” Louie, you went to Natabua High School, you were taught in school about the reporting mechanisms.
“Yes, you could have picked up the phone and called the cops. But you did not do that, at least call your sister to inform her that this is the position that you are in.”
More on this story in tomorrow’s The Fiji Times.
