Eight individuals, including an alleged illegal immigrant, have been linked to the discovery of methamphetamine during a series of police raids in Suva and all appeared in court yesterday.
The raids, conducted at Flagstaff and along Rewa St on Tuesday, led to multiple arrests of both Chinese and local nationals, all of whom have been remanded in custody.
In the Flagstaff raid, Josua Ravula and Yin Qing Qing appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza jointly charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime. They were allegedly found with 42.95 grams of methamphetamine. The court directed that a Mandarin interpreter assist Ms Qing, who does not speak English. The case is adjourned to October 9.
In the first Rewa St raid, Yu Yang Fang, Minghui Dai and Zhou Lan appeared before Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi facing the same two charges as the Flagstaff duo. The case is adjourned to October 3.
In the second Rewa St raid, Logamaisino Baules (also known as Lagomarcion Ngirchobekelou), Peniasi Ganilau Delai and Ginna Mukunghoa Choi appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs after allegedly being found with 0.345 grams of methamphetamine.
Baules faces an additional charge of being a prohibited immigrant after allegedly overstaying his visitor permit by 16 days. Choi is also charged with possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime after police allegedly found $977.60 in Fijian currency, 200 Philippine pesos and $4 in US currency in her possession.
Police prosecutor Jone Tupou opposed bail, citing public interest. However, Magistrate Prasad ruled this was not a strong enough reason to deny bail outright and advised both parties to file formal bail applications. The case is adjourned to October 27.
All eight accused remain in custody while investigations continue.
