Justice Riyaz Hamza yesterday issued a bench warrant for Alzaid Shain Rizwan Ali, who faces drug related charges, at the High Court in Lautoka.
Mr Ali and co-accused Grace Katia Liuvoliga are alleged to have been involved in transporting more than 12.3 kilograms of cocaine on February 15, 2024, along Lautoka’s Vuda Bypass Rd.
The State alleges the police intercepted the duo while they were actively moving the illicit cargo from the bypass road toward Field 40.
State prosecutor Joeli Nasa told the court the State is still unable to confirm whether Mr Ali is currently held in remand for a separate matter.
Defence lawyer Unaisi Baleilevuka, representing Ms Liuvoliga, maintained that Mr Ali is in remand at the Totogo Police Station in Suva, but Mr Nasa said this information was incorrect.
The State said it has a list of 28 witnesses for the trial and intends to shorten this number later. Mr Nasa further informed the court that all pretrial conference issues have been sorted.
The matter has been adjourned to June 4.
