Bail for six allegedly transporting marijuana from Kadavu to Suva

Six men charged with allegedly transporting 26.03 kilograms of marijuana bound for Suva from Kadavu last month were granted bail by the Suva Magistrate Court this afternoon.

Letia Tokoni, Saimoni Mule, Sakiusa Timi, Apisai Daveta, Tevita Vuki, and Timoci Lolohea appeared before Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola and Magistrate Sufia Hamza on a joint charge of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

Tokoni faced an additional charge of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs.

The matter was first called in the morning, where Police prosecution maintained a formal request for bail.

The courtroom was packed with family members of the defendants, some of whom acted as sureties for the accused.

During the proceedings, defence lawyer Amani Bale argued strongly that there were no valid reasons for the prosecution to object to his clients’ bail, as they were willing to comply with any strict conditions set by the court.

Mr Bale questioned the prosecution’s grounds for objection, stating they had not demonstrated that his clients would fail to attend future court proceedings. He said the argument that the matter was of public interest had not been substantiated, and his clients had assured the court they would not return to Kadavu.

He added that the accused would reside with their sureties, all of whom were his cousins.

Mr Bale compared the case to that of Acting Commissioner Sevuloni Naucukidi, who had been granted bail.

After a short adjournment in the morning, Mr Bale told the court that the Suva Remand Centre was overcrowded and his clients could not bear staying there any longer.

The matter was recalled at 2.30pm, where bail was granted under the following conditions:

• Cash bail bond of $1,000 each;
• All sureties bonded at $200 (non-cash);
• All accused must reside at a fixed address;
• Must refrain from returning to Kadavu;
• Must not interfere with State witnesses;
• Must not reoffend;
• Must surrender all travel documents;
• A stop departure order was issued; and
• Must report to Valelevu Police Station every Saturday between 6am and 6pm.

Police prosecution told the court that some details still needed updating, but they had no further objections to bail.

The matter has been adjourned to November 25.