Court hears application to merge files in airport drug case

The fate of six men accused in two separate consignments of illicit drugs intercepted at Nadi International Airport will be decided next year.

They appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge in the High Court in Lautoka today.

Nigerian national Chukwemeka Phabian, Counter Narcotics Bureau officers Apenisa Matadigo, Viliame Nalagi and Uraia Bolalailai, Fiji Airways driver Neumi Donumainasava, and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service intelligence head Osea Raicama Dakai are charged with two counts of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, contrary to Section 5(b) of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.

The alleged offences occurred between March and July 2025 and involve two separate consignments of illicit drugs that tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing a combined total of more than three kilograms.

State prosecutor Joeli Nasa applied to consolidate three files: HAC 64/25, HAC 165/25 and HAC 166/25.

Defence lawyers Jotishna Nair and Unaisi Baleilevuka objected and requested that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions file a formal application so they could examine the connection between the old and new matters.

Mr Nasa said a formal application will be filed.

Justice Aluthge adjourned the case to January 29, 2026.