TWO people accused in a case involving the $1billion worth of cocaine seized at Vatia, Tavua, have accused police of taking more than $7000 from them.
The complaints were raised in the High Court in Ba yesterday as 11 individuals linked to the case appeared before Justice Samuela Qica.
Defence lawyers told the court that constitutional redress applications had been filed or were being prepared following allegations of oppressive police conduct during investigations, including claims that officers had taken cash and personal items from some of the accused.
The 11 accused — comprising local and foreign nationals — are facing charges connected to the seizure of more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine found last month.
Jonathan Hill’s lawyer, Lavenia Bogitini, alleged oppressive police conduct and raised concerns about the conditions in which her client had been remanded. She told the court she had filed a constitutional redress application on Monday and requested an investigation into a police officer at the Nadi Police Station who allegedly took $3000 and a power bank from her client.
The court also heard that admissions were made during Mr Hill’s caution interview, which the defence alleged resulted from oppressive investigative practices.
Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa’s lawyer, Unaisi Baleilevuka, also told the court her client was detained from 10am to 6pm on January 17 and alleged that a police officer from the Nadi Police Station took $4200 from her.
In further submissions, John Taotawa’s lawyer, Edwin Wainiqolo, said he would also be filing a constitutional redress application. Yogend Kumar, lawyer for Munendra, told the court he was still awaiting his client’s medical report regarding injuries allegedly sustained during the arrest.
The six men initially charged over the alleged drug trafficking operation that was intercepted in Vatia are Australian national Bainivalu Suguturaga, Munendra, and Ecuadorian fishermen Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga and Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez.
The remaining five accused — John Taotawa, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Jonathan Hill, Iliesa Cokanasiga and Ponipate Mateyawa — were arrested in Nadi on January 17 following the major drug bust.
State lawyer John Rabuku told the court it would be prudent for the accused to await full information and disclosures before filing bail applications. He sought 21 days for information and disclosures, saying consolidation of the matter was still in progress.
Mr Rabuku said he did not have full analysis reports due to the volume of seized packages, which numbered more than 2000, and added that immunity options could also arise.
Justice Qica adjourned the matter to February 27 and remanded all accused persons in custody.
