THE State has strongly opposed bail for Jiuta Naivalurua Raibevu, who is charged in relation to missing cocaine exhibits valued at an estimated $31 million from the Suva High Court registry, citing the risk of interference as investigations continue.
Prosecutor Alisha Lal raised concerns before Magistrate Sufia Hamza yesterday, noting that investigations involving Mr Raibevu’s wife, a former senior official in the judicial department currently in Australia, were ongoing. She also told the court that Mr Raibevu’s travel history showed he had previously travelled to Australia.
Mr Raibevu faces one count of interfering with evidence and one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
It is alleged that he and another person unlawfully interfered with, seized and possessed 39.5 kilograms of cocaine from the High Court registry between March 23, 2021, and September 15, 2026.
The missing drugs are believed to be exhibit material from the case of Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman.
The court also heard that the issue of jurisdiction, including whether the case should be transferred to the High Court, remained unresolved.
Jurisdiction remains a live issue, with the parties set to address the court later this month on whether the case should be transferred to the High Court, given that penalties for possessing over one kilogram of illicit drugs carry’s a sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Mr Raibevu was further remanded in custody, with the case adjourned to October 23.
