The clerical officer of a company on Denarau, facing drug related offences, has been remanded in custody pending a formal bail application.

Mereseini Ledua appeared before Magistrate Deepika Prakash at the Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday.

She is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and of unlawful importation of illicit drugs.

Ledua was arrested following a joint controlled operation between the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service.

She was arrested on July 12, 2019, after she had allegedly picked up a parcel containing methamphetamine concealed inside a bottle of peanut butter sent from America to Nadi last Wednesday.

It was addressed to a local person. Customs officers at the parcel post scanned the consignment and discovered the white powder which was later tested positive for methamphetamine.

The estimated cost of methamphetamine is $115,000 with social cost associated to be around $210,000.

For the offence of unlawful possession, it is alleged that on July 12, 2019, at Suva, Ledua was unlawfully in possession of 101.4 grams of methamphetamine, an illicit drug.

For the offence of unlawful importation, it is alleged that on July 12, 2019, at Suva, Ledua unlawfully imported 101.4 grams of methamphetamine, an illicit drug.

Police prosecution did not object to Ledua’s bail, however, they had requested for strict bail conditions, reporting time and curfew.

Defence solicitor from the Legal Aid Commission told the court that the accused was not a flight risk, was willing to surrender her passport and willing to sign a cash bail.

Magistrate Prakash said the offence was of category two under the new guidelines of the illicit drugs.

She ordered the accused to make a formal bail application and that the court needed to make an informed decision on whether to consider bail or not.

The matter has been adjourned to July 17 for mention.

Edited by Percy Kean

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