POLICE will determine how seven cocaine bars went missing from the High Court’s exhibit room in Suva, with Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu saying the investigation into the alleged theft and tampering is still in its initial stages.
“The investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and tampering of exhibits,” he said.
“As for the processes of how the exhibits were, or are being kept, that is a matter for the judiciary to respond to as exhibits tendered in court are under their custody and not police.
“We want to assure members of the public that a thorough investigation is already underway which are in its initial stages.”
The seven cocaine bars were part of an original 39 exhibits held at the High Court in Suva exhibit room.
Information gathered by The Fiji Times indicates two senior High Court officers were authorised to access the room and had keys to it. There are also unconfirmed reports that the key to the room was missing at some point.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Salesi Temo said keys to the court exhibit room were held under the responsibility of the judiciary’s Chief Registrar and authorised staff.
“All those people who work under him, that’s their responsibility to keep the key,” Justice Temo said.
He also revealed that security guards were stationed at the courthouse around the clock, but acknowledged that this had not prevented the alleged break-in.
Justice Temo was also asked whether the circumstances surrounding the disappearance warranted an independent investigation.
“It’s a police matter. Any breach of the criminal law is a matter for the police to investigate.”
