Ruling deferred in lawyer's drug case

A ruling in a 2019 drug case involving a former Suva lawyer and a co-accused has been deferred, with the court granting additional time to finalise its decision.

Shazran Lateef and Zoey Maharaj Moore appeared before Magistrate Lice Manulevu in the Suva Magistrates Court. They are accused of three counts of being found in possession of illicit drugs.

The charges stem from an incident on July 14, 2019, in Raiwaqa, Suva, where the two were allegedly found with 7.89 grams of methamphetamine, 12.49 grams of cocaine, and 2.5 grams of marijuana.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Joji Cakau raised issues relating to Section 134 and informed the court that a key prosecution witness had since died.

The court was told the ruling was not yet ready, and a request was made for an additional 14 days to complete the decision.

The matter has been adjourned to May 7, when the ruling is expected to be delivered.