Four men facing drug charges appeared at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday after their case was transferred from the Nadi Magistrates Court last week.

Marc Winston Tijinkonkoen, Roshneel Kumar, Shaneil Suresh Autar and Pravishek Kartik Narayan appeared before Judge Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena.

Tijinkonkoen was represented by Dorsami Naidu, Autar was represented by Jasveer Singh while Kumar and Narayan were represented by Iqbal Khan.

The accused persons are jointly charged with one count of unlawful possession, manufacture, cultivator and supply of illicit drug while Tijinkonkoen and Autar are additionally charged with one count of unlawful importation and exportation of illicit drugs.

It is alleged that on October 7, the four were engaged in dealing for the transfer, transport and supply of cocaine. Tijinkonkoen and Autar were alleged to have facilitated the exportation of 34 parcels, weighing approximately 39.36kg of cocaine on October 8.

The court heard the matter was for first call and prosecution would need time to file disclosures.

Mr Naidu and Mr Singh told the court that they would also need time to file their respective clients’ bail applications.

Justice Wimalasena adjourned the matter to November 27 for proecution to file information and disclosures. He further remanded the accused persons.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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