Ex-lawyer Shazran Lateef jailed for drug possession

Former lawyer and drug‑convict Shazran Abdul Lateef was today sentenced to three years and eight months in jail, with no parole eligibility for 30 months.

He was convicted of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana in 2019.

Delivering the sentence at the Suva Magistrate Court, Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne ruled that Lateef unlawfully possessed 9.5 grams of methamphetamine and 3.5 grams of marijuana at a city hotel.

The court heard from a key witness who said she met Lateef on May 9, 2019, and accompanied him to the hotel.

She testified that Lateef carried a briefcase, paid for a room, and later opened the case to remove a plastic container holding a zip‑lock bag of methamphetamine.

According to her evidence, Lateef later returned with a pipe and heated the drug in her presence.

Police officers soon entered the room after knocking, searched the premises, and seized the drugs and related items from a counter.

The court said the sentence reflected the seriousness of drug offences and the need to deter similar conduct.

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