The head of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS) intelligence unit Osea Raicama Dakai, appeared at the Nadi Magistrate’s Court yesterday in relation to the importation of more than 4.8kilograms of methamphetamine earlier this month.
Mr Dakai appeared before Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and one count of Breach of Secrecy Oath under the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service Act 1998.
In court, Mr Dakai’s lawyer Simione Valenitabua made an application for bail arguing that his client’s constitutional right was breached when he was held for more than 48 hours.
Mr Valenitabua said Mr Dakai was arrested on Friday morning and was only released from custody at 2pm yesterday.
He said his client, who, upon his arrest, was still an employee of FRCS, deserved to be released and for the court to end his unconstitutional detainment.
Mr Valenitabua also highlighted that his client’s first charge for the alleged importation of the meth could not be possible as he did not pack the drugs nor send it to Fiji.
He said his client had also relayed top secret information which led to the arrest of other individuals related to the case.
The defence lawyer also called for the case to be heard in closed court.
In response, police prosecutor Siteri Nakai said the prosecution had served Mr Dakai with some of the first phase of disclosures and would be serving the rest soon.
She said the State did not want Mr Dakai released on bail as he could interfere with investigations.
Sgt Nakai added that for transparency Mr Dakai’s case must be heard in an open court.
Magistrate Tikoisuva agreed with the prosecution and ruled that the court would not deal with the substantive matters.
She also transferred the case to the High Court in Lautoka and refused Mr Dakai’s bail application.
Meanwhile, two Counter Narcotics Bureau officers, Apenisa Matadigo and Uraia Bolalailai, were also charged in connection with the case.
The cases of all three officers have been adjourned to June 2 for mention in the High Court.
