Court orders medical examination for Hungarian drug accused

Drug accused Hungarian national Fonta Laszlo has been ordered to undergo a medical check-up at Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital.

Laszlo appeared before the High Court in Lautoka yesterday before Justice Aruna Aluthge after being remanded by the Nadi Magistrates Court following the seizure of nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine at Nadi International Airport.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service operation uncovered the drugs during airport screening on April 17.

Authorities said the interception resulted from risk profiling and intelligence-led targeting, leading to the discovery of approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in passenger baggage.

Laszlo faces one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs under the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.

The court heard Laszlo does not fully understand English and speaks Hungarian and Russian.

An interpreter assisted during the court session.

The hearing focused on welfare matters concerning the accused.

State lawyers requested an additional 14 days to file information disclosures, citing their recent assignment to the case. The request was accepted by the defence.

The defence highlighted Laszlo’s ongoing medical condition — an inguinal hernia — which they said required surgery not available in prison, and sought arrangements for external medical treatment.

Justice Aluthge ordered Laszlo to be taken to Aspen Hospital for a detailed medical examination, with interpreter assistance approved to facilitate communication and medical arrangements.

Both parties agreed to the disclosure timeline and to revisit bail or other applications after the necessary documents are filed.

Laszlo will remain in custody until his next court appearance on June 2.