After seven long weeks of worrying, Sam Amine, acquitted on a charge of drug possession, returned to Australia yesterday.

Overwhelmed by the verdict, the Australian businessman said he could not wait to rejoin his wife and four children. He was booked for a flight out to Australia.

“It’s been seven long and worrying weeks and I am so happy it’s all over,” the 46-year-old said.

“I want to thank the Almighty, my defence lawyer Iqbal Khan and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for my acquittal.”

Charges

The Australian was charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, namely Anabol steroids.

The accused was represented by Mr Khan while Simione Seruvatu represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions when the matter was called before Magistrate Nirosha Kanaangara.

Acquittal

Ms Kanaangara, in acquitting Amine, ordered that the stop departure order against him be lifted and his passports along with any cash bond paid be released.

Amine was arrested on May 28, 2022 and was charged with the offence two days later.

Police had searched Amine’s flat at Fantasy Island in Nadi and found the drugs in one of the Energy Fiji Limited’s meter boxes for one of the four flats there.

Amine was granted bail earlier with strict bail conditions, which included providing two sureties with a $3000 cash bond and to surrender travelling documents.

Mr Khan had submitted in court that the meter box in question did not belong to Amine and that the accused was surprised that the charges had been laid against him for possession of illicit drugs, which he had no knowledge of.

Following submissions to the DPP’s Office, the charges against Amine was withdrawn.

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