Hungarian national front court over alleged 5kg meth seizure

A Hungarian national appeared at the Nadi Magistrate Court today following the seizure of nearly five kilograms of methamphetamine at Nadi International Airport.

Fonta Laszlo appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou in relation to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) operation that uncovered the drugs during airport screening on April 17.

The interception, which authorities say was driven by risk profiling and intelligence-led targeting, led to the discovery of approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine allegedly concealed in passenger baggage.

The drugs were detected during examination processes at the international airport.

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 that the accused does not fully understand English and speaks Hungarian and Russian.

Although a Hungarian national, his listed address is in Bulgaria.

The charges were not read to him in court as a result.

Given the quantity of drugs involved, Magistrate Savou ruled that the matter be transferred to the High Court in Lautoka.

The case has been adjourned to May 5, with Laszlo remaining in custody.