State agrees to return property to three convicted men in Fiji's biggest drug case

The State has confirmed it will return personal belongings belonging to three convicted men involved in Fiji's largest drug seizure after Police located the items.

The High Court in Lautoka heard that vehicles, mobile phones and other personal property will be released once verification is completed.

Louie Logaivau, Viliame Colawailiku and Sakiusa Tuva appeared before Justice Aruna Aluthge in the High Court in Lautoka today.

The three men applied for the return of personal items, including vehicles and mobile phones, which remain in Police custody.

They were among nine people convicted in connection with the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine at Legalega and Maqalevu in January 2024.

The other convicted persons in the case are Justin Ho, David Heritage, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Jale Aukerea, Ratu Osea Levula and Cathy Tuirabe.

The case involved the importation of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of about $2 billion and remains the largest drug seizure in Fiji's history and one of the largest in the Pacific.

Appearing for the State, prosecutor Joeli Naivalu confirmed the investigating officer had located the items sought by the applicants.

"I can confirm that the investigating officer has carried out his due diligence and located the items the applicants are seeking to have released," Mr Naivalu told the court.

"I have instructed the investigating officer to bring the items to my office, after which we will contact the family members to collect them. We can then return to court on a review date."

Mr Naivalu said Logaivau had been asked to provide his sister's contact details so arrangements could be made to collect his belongings.

"He has requested a number of items, and I need to verify exactly what has been requested to satisfy the motion that has been filed," he said.

Mr Naivalu said it was ultimately a matter for the court whether to close the application or retain it for review after the property had been released.

Justice Aluthge adjourned the matter for review on August 4.

Mr Naivalu also confirmed the investigating officer would provide the court with an inventory of the items belonging to each of the three applicants.