Court grants more time for drug charge details

Two Chinese nationals facing drug-related charges were further remanded by the High Court in Lautoka today.

Xu Qiang and Wang An, both unemployed and in Fiji on six-month tourist visas, appeared before Justice Sekonaia Vodokisolomone.

The pair are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs after allegedly being found with 805.657 grams of crystal methamphetamine in Nadi on September 23.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku sought another 21 days to file further information.

The information should contain three counts of unlawful possession as alleged drugs and raid was conducted at three different places.

He said police combined it into one test which appears on the charge that was filed in Magistrate Court.

That is the reason we are unable to file an information at this point.

Defence lawyer Rajshneel Chand requested for a Chinese translator for the nationals on the next date to help them understand what was going and the reason pertaining their dates.

Justice Vodokisolomone said that they normally engaged interpreters during trials, but if a translator was intended to be in mention stages he would inform the defence on the next date.

Mr Rabuku requested for 21 days to decide on the position of bail.

Justice Vodokisolome said bail will be considered after information and disclosures were filed by the prosecution. The case has been adjourned to November 26.

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