Military officer remanded over meth, alleged $150 bribe
Court hears accused allegedly fled after offering arresting officer money to release him.
Friday 21 August 2026 | 16:00
Accused Rusiate Tawakilai outside the Suva Magistrate Court on August 21, 2026.
Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu
A 44-year-old military officer has been further remanded after allegedly being found with methamphetamine, offering $150 to a police officer to release him and fleeing the scene.
Rusiate Cama Tawakilai appeared before Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne at the Suva Magistrate Court today.
He is charged with one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, attempted bribery and serious assault.
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It was alleged that Tawakilai was stopped and searched by a team of officers on patrol in Delainavesi, where a zip-lock plastic bag containing white crystals, which later tested positive for methamphetamine, was allegedly discovered.
The accused then allegedly offered $150 to the arresting officer to release him before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested by two officers.
During the proceedings, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Salote Bola told the court the State was objecting to bail, given the seriousness of the offence and because the matter was of public interest.
The court heard that the attempted bribery charge was an electable offence and asked Tawakilai whether he wanted the matter heard in the High Court or remain in the Magistrates Court.
Tawakilai filed a bail application, arguing that he was a single parent caring for four children, all of whom are still in school.
He opted to have the matter heard in the lower court and said he would engage a Legal Aid Commission lawyer.
Magistrate Somaratne remanded him and advised him to file a formal bail application next Tuesday when he appears before Senior Resident Magistrate Sufia Hamza.
The prosecution is also expected to file its response then.
