$2B meth bust: Kava bar owner jailed 50 years for storing and processing drugs

Jale Aukerea, 42, a Nadi businessman and operator of Kava Kings, has been sentenced to 50 years imprisonment with a 25-year non-parole period by Lautoka High Court Judge Justice Aruna Aluthge.

He was convicted for his role in Fiji’s largest-ever methamphetamine seizure.

In the judgement hearing, Justice Aluthge described Aukerea as someone who played a major role in financing, storing, and processing the 4.15 tonnes of meth seized in Legalega, Nadi, in January last year.

During the trial, Aukerea claimed he was pressured by former national squash representative Justin Ho to take the blame.

“I wish I never listened to a con man,” he told the court, explaining that Ho threatened him and fellow accused Louie Logaivau, promising connections in Suva to protect them.

He and Ho, along with Logaivau, were arrested on January 22, 2024, on Cobia Island while allegedly trying to flee Fiji.

Aukerea told the court he had been misled to give false stories about traveling for kava and a camping trip.

Sentencing breakdown are as follows:

Justin Ho: Life Imprisonment, non-parole period of 30 years.

David Heritage: 55 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 25 years.

Jale Aukerea: 50 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 25 years.

Louie Logaivau: 25 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 18 years.

Sakiusa Tuva: 25 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 18 years.

Aporosa Davelevu: 14 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 12 years.

Osea Levula: 17 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 13 years.

Cathy Tuirabe: 15 years imprisonment, non-parole of 12 years.

Viliame Colowaliku: 15 years imprisonment, non-parole period of 12 years.