The Suva Magistrates Court has granted bail to a 27-year-old man charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

Jacob Whippy was allegedly found in possession of 200.4 grams of illicit drugs, namely, methamphetamine on May 11, this year.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Apenisa Keresoni, told court he did not object to bail but that the accused be released on strict bail terms and that his travel documents be surrendered. 

Magistrate Kashyapa Wickramasekara asked the accused to file an affidavit that he did not hold any passport as stated by his lawyer, Simione Valenitabua.

Mr Valenitabua said his client denied any knowledge that the package he received contained drugs.

Magistrate Wickramasekara has told Whippy to report to the nearest Police Station every Wednesday and Friday.

Sergeant Keresoni said in the next court date, the matter would be requested to be transferred to high court.

The drug was allegedly sent via general post from California, USA, and Police had received information of the parcel at the general post office.

Whippy is alleged to have gone to the Post Office on May 11 to receive the parcel where the Police, who were informed of the parcel, asked to inspect it.

The parcel was checked and a black wireless speaker was found inside but before Whippy left the Post Office, he was stopped by a Police officer and arrested for unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

The accused was escorted to the Major Crimes Unit Office at the CID Headquarters where he was interviewed; the parcel taken to the Fiji Police Forensic Chemistry Laboratory for testing.

Inside the parcel with the black speaker was found two sealed clear plastic sachets containing crystal clear substances.

Whippy has been bailed on a sum of $2000; $1000 each per surety.

He will reappear in court on June 19, for mention.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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