The 18 kilograms of cocaine seized in the case of Colombian national Aiden Alec Hurtado have tested positive for cocaine, with the weight remaining unchanged.
The matter was called before the High Court in Suva today, where State lawyer Eoghn Samisoni confirmed the results of the drug testing.
Justice Thushara Rajasinghe adjourned the matter to 2.30pm to allow time to go through the report submitted by the State.
Mr Hurtado was convicted in 2017 for the unlawful importation of 18 kilograms of cocaine into Fiji in 2014, after initially being acquitted in 2015.
Following a State appeal, the matter was remitted to the High Court for a retrial, which resulted in his conviction.
He was initially sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 15 years.
After taking into account the time he had already spent in remand, his final sentence was 13 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 11 years and 11 months.
