Jailed ex‑Suva lawyer denies new drug charge

A former Suva-based lawyer has denied a new charge of unlawful possession of illicit drugs at the Suva Magistrate Court today.

Shazran Abdul Lateef, who is serving a prison sentence, appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza. He pleaded not guilty.

The court heard that Lateef was allegedly found in possession of 0.584 grams of methamphetamine on December 4 last year.

The case was adjourned to May 19, when the court is expected to set a trial date.

Lateef was sentenced in February to three years and eight months’ imprisonment on drug‑related offences.

In that case, Lateef was found guilty of two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, involving 9.5 grams of methamphetamine and 3.5 grams of marijuana.

The offences dated back to May 9, 2019.