A clerical officer for a company in Denarau is facing drug-related offences and will take her plea next week.

Mereseini Asinate Luisa Ledua appeared yesterday before Magistrate Deepika Prakash.

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

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

The accused was arrested on July 12, 2019, after she had picked up a parcel containing methamphetamine concealed inside a bottle of peanut butter sent from America to Nadi on Wednesday last week, was addressed to a local person.

Customs officers at the parcel post scanned the consignment and discovered the white powder, which 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 in unlawfully possession 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.

Defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission, Kaushik Kumar, told the court that Ledua had withdrew her matter from the commission and wished to engage private lawyer.

Magistrate Prakash adjourned the matter for a plea to be taken on August 6. Bail was extended for Ledua.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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