Lautoka High Court told Jale Aukerea yesterday “you played a leading role and managed the movement and storage of the drugs.”
The 42-year-old Nadi businessman was sentenced to 50 years imprisonment with a 25-year non-parole period.
“You also played a leading role and managed the movement and storage of the drugs from Motorex to Maqalevu. You instructed and financed your cousin Sakiusa Tuva to organise logistics, storage and transport.,” said the judge.
The judge detailed Aukerea’s actions, noting, “It was on your instructions that the consignment was transported from Motorex to the house at Legalega and then to Maqalevu.:
“You provided funds to buy a van to transport drugs and rented a house at Maqalevu for storage. Sakiusa Tuva and Viliame Colowaliku were on your payroll. You did the drug business for profits.”
The court set a starting point of 40 years imprisonment.
“Having considered the role you played, the enormity, the purity and the street value of the methamphetamine consignment, I would pick 40 years imprisonment as the starting point of your sentence towards the middle range of the tariff.”
The judge highlighted the operation’s sophistication, stating, “you managed the operation using a sophisticated encrypted communication app to avoid detection.”
“Your admissions in the caution statement show that you received instructions and funds from a foreign source, and you planned the operation with foreign drug syndicates.”
Justice Aluthge further criticised Aukerea’s use of his kava bar as a front.
“You came from Australia and started a kava bar called ‘Kava Kings’ at Votualevu as a front to carry out a clandestine drug business. I have no doubt Sakiusa and Cathy packed Kava and methamphetamine under the label ‘Kadavu Kava’ to be sold at the local market.”
The judge also noted Aukerea’s attempt to flee, stating, “when the police raids were conducted, you took tainted money and fled to Cobia Island with Justin Ho and Louie and attempted to flee Fiji to prevent the course of justice.”
Mitigating factors included Aukerea’s lack of prior convictions and his year in remand, leading to a 3-year deduction for a final sentence of 50 years.
“It was submitted that you have provided employment to 10-15 people. However, you used the employees for the drug trade, and it will add nothing to mitigation.”
“Rehabilitation is given less consideration for primary drug offenders of this magnitude. Fiji is increasingly becoming a hot spot for drug trafficking, and therefore, general and specific deterrence must be the primary considerations in setting the non-parole period.”
“Denunciation and public protection are also important factors to be considered. A 25-year non-parole period was imposed, making Aukerea eligible for parole after serving 25 years.”