DRUG accused Vishal Rohit Prasad yesterday pleaded with the Nadi Magistrate’s Court to be granted bail with strict conditions because he is taking care of his son who is enrolled in a special school.
Appearing before Magistrate Jeremiah Savou, Mr Prasad is charged with three counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of breaching his suspended sentence.
It is alleged that on August 5 in Nadi, the accused had in his possession 0.691 grams of methamphetamine, 0.458 grams of cocaine and 5.7 grams of cannabis.
A police prosecutor had objected to bail, stating that it was a public interest case.
The court heard that Mr Prasad had eight other pending cases before the court, as well as active previous convictions.
He told the court that his family had been suffering during these hard times, sought forgiveness from the court and asked to have his bail granted with strict conditions.
However, this was refused by the magistrate who told the accused he could apply for bail on his next court date.
Mr Prasad then asked court if he could be remanded in Suva as he feared being assaulted at the Lautoka Remand Centre.
But Mr Savou told the accused he would be remanded at the Natabua Remand Centre as it was the facility that dealt with cases involving the Western Division.
The matter has been adjourned to August 19 for bail ruling.
