Court convicts six over methamphetamine possession

Six people have been convicted of methamphetamine possession and proceeds of crime offences following police raids at Yue Lai Hotel and properties along Rewa Street in September 2025.

Chinese Nationals Yu Yuan Feng, Dai Ming Hui and Zhou Lan, two Fijian men, Joshua Ravula and Peniasi Delai as Federated Sates of Micronesia woman, Ginna Choi appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Sufia Hamza yesterday for their judgment.

Magistrate Hamza found that the State had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt against all six accused after hearing evidence from 22 prosecution witnesses.

They all share a charge of unlawful possession of illicit drugs while Choi Yu and Zhou faces an additional charge of possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

Police seized methamphetamine from three locations during the raids:

• 42.295 grams at Yue Lai Hotel.
• 39.509 grams at Rewa Street.
• 0.345 grams at Rewa Street.

Magistrate Hamza accepted the prosecution's evidence that the accused had possession, control and knowledge of the drugs.

The court also found that cash seized from some of the accused could reasonably be suspected to be proceeds of crime.

The magistrate rejected defence arguments concerning possession, proceeds of crime and the handling of exhibits. She ruled that the chain of custody for the drug evidence had been sufficiently maintained.

The court found that the accused had failed to produce evidence to rebut the legal presumptions relating to drug possession and the origins of the seized cash.

They all have 28 days to appeal against their convictions to the High Court.