ELEVEN individuals charged in the 2,644.5-kilogram cocaine seizure in the Vatia drug bust pleaded not guilty before the High Court in Ba on September 24.
The accused Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez, Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, Anand Kumar, Bainivalu Suguturaga, Ponipate Seuvou Mateyawa, John Toatala, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau, and Anaseini Lisa Kinikinilau Rokolati entered their pleas following the State’s consolidation of all separate proceedings into a single proceeding.
The consolidated information and disclosures were presented to all defence lawyers, formally joining the individual files into one matter.
The charges are unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, unlawful entry into Fiji, serious assault, conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
The alleged offences occurred across the Central and Western Divisions between November 1, 2025, and February 2 this year.
The court has allocated a two-month trial window running from the first week of February through the final week of March 2027.
Defence lawyers challenging admissibility must file voir dire grounds by October 31, with State responses scheduled for November and December.
The court heard that the four Ecuadorian nationals will not challenge their caution interviews, relying instead on a defence of duress.
Other defence counsel have requested additional time to review their clients’ positions on recorded admissions.
The State indicated it will file an application within 14 days seeking an order for the destruction of the seized narcotics.
The matter has been adjourned to October 15 for mention.
