The man at the centre of Fiji’s largest methamphetamine seizure has been labelled the “main beneficiary” of the transnational drug operation, as the High Court handed down guilty verdicts to the nine accused in the 4.15-tonne drug bust.
Justice Aruna Aluthge delivered the judgement in State v Justin Ho & Others yesterday, describing Justin Ho as the controlling authority behind the operation and the key figure in a multi-layered criminal network.
“The large sum of cash found on Justin Ho suggests that he was the leader for the escape plan, and the main beneficiary of the illicit drug activity in Fiji,” said Justice Aluthge.
The court heard that although co-accused, Sakiusa Tuva and Jale Aukerea played critical roles in renting houses for storage, arranging transport and recruiting others, it was Ho who directed operations — confirmed further by his attempt to flee the country with co-accused Louie Logaivau and Aukerea.
Justice Aluthge said a police informant’s testimony helped locate the drug consignment in Legalega, Nadi, and confirmed that “it was him (Justin Ho) who had instructed the transport of the drugs”.
In total, the 12-count indictment included importation, possession, and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime, with 18 guilty verdicts and only two acquittals.
The judge ruled that Ho and second accused David Heritage jointly executed the master plan, allegedly brought to Fiji by Australian drug kingpin Sam Amir, to move one of the region’s largest hard drug consignments through the country.
“It was further proved that each accused, at some stage, did or was in control of this consignment with the intention or knowledge that they were dealing with illicit drugs,” he said.
He described Aukerea as playing a major role in financing, storing, and processing the drugs, while Tuva had a medium role in logistics and local distribution.
Justice Aluthge also remarked on the broader implications of the case, saying it was “not critically clear where these consignments originated and where it was heading,” but that it could be inferred to have come from Latin America, destined for Australia or New Zealand, with Fiji used as a transit point.
The court also heard that a small quantity was distributed into Fiji’s local market, using intermediaries to recruit peddlers and couriers. Justice Aluthge said there was evidence suggesting foreign drug cartel involvement, including “Russians, Latinos, and proceeds working in collaboration with Fijian counterparts”, although the claim of Russian mafia involvement was not proven.
“The Russian mafia narrative was brought into the centre stage by the accused to practise their defence of duress,” he said.
Justice Aluthge also issued a stark warning about Fiji’s border security vulnerabilities: “The undetected importation of scientific consignments of hard drugs into Fiji through sea routes proves how big our border protection mechanics summons laws.”
He pointed to “alarming evidence” of Narcotics Bureau officers being complicit in drug operations but clarified there was “no possible evidence that the accused in this case were deterred from recording into the procedures of the Fiji Police Force.”
Despite these challenges, the court praised Fiji’s law enforcement for successfully investigating and prosecuting a sophisticated international operation, noting that “they are still capable of tackling the challenges caused by drug cartels equipped with super yachts, satellite phones, and encrypted messaging apps”.
Verdicts:
n Justin Ho: Guilty of importation, multiple possession charges, and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime
n David Heritage: Guilty of importation and possession
– Louie Logaivau: Guilty of five counts of possession; not guilty on proceeds
n Ratu Aporosa Davelevu: Guilty of one possession charge; not guilty on another
n Jale Aukerea, Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe, Viliame Colowaliku: Guilty of drug possession
n Aukerea was also convicted of possessing proceeds of crime
The eight accused remain remanded in custody. Logaivau was exempted for medical reasons.
Their sentencing is set for Friday next week.
