A KEY immunity witness in the country’s largest drug case gave detailed testimony at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday, outlining how he assisted in transporting methamphetamine between Nadi and Suva.
Under questioning from State counsel Joeli Naivalu, the witness said his brother-in-law, also a civilian witness, accompanied him to a warehouse in 2023 to begin construction work.
He said the building, owned by accused Justin Ho, was later used to store methamphetamine.
He claimed Mr Ho asked him to take a sealed and wrapped container to Suva, and that Mr Ho informed him that the contents were methamphetamine.
After delivering it to Suva Point carpark, he said he received $500 from the recipient.
He said a second job took place on December 29, 2023, involving another accused, Louie Logaivau, and Sakiusa Tuva.
They allegedly off-loaded containers in Legalega until 4am on January 30, 2023. He was paid another $500.
He told the court he was arrested on January 13, 2024, and led police to Legalega after being found with meth. He claimed Tuva gave him and others drugs from a container during the off-loading.
The witness admitted he was high when he gave his initial statement but said his statement was true. He confirmed he was granted immunity in exchange for testimony.
He also confirmed he was assaulted before court last week and said people had threatened him and others with death or being “chopped up and fed to sharks”.
Mr Ho’s counsel Samuela Heritage challenged the witness’s credibility, claiming his brother-in-law paid off police. The witness denied knowledge.
He also confirmed receiving money for deliveries, depositing it into an account provided by Mr Ho.
Police evidence
Ifereimi Savou who was Divisional Crime Officer Eastern told the court that information about the meth stash came from a source on January 13.
He approved a team to travel to Nadi after getting the green light from his superiors.
Corporal Tom Matebula said the witness was first caught with meth in Nausori. The witness then revealed details about a larger stash in Nadi.
Mr Matebula said the team raided a house in Legalega at 3am on January 14, 2024, finding “797 containers” of meth. Photos were sent to Savou, and five twin cabs were deployed to transport the drugs to Namaka Police Station.
Constable Josefa Kama told the court the witness “began to open up” during questioning, saying he’d delivered the meth and was willing to lead police to it.
He said the drugs were moved immediately due to the “high risk of violence and involvement of foreign nationals”.
What’s next!
The case will continue today with the State expected to call nine more witnesses — five from the forensic team and four police officers from Taveuni as the trial continues.
