State seeks court approval to destroy $1b cocaine before trial

The State prosecution will apply to destroy more than $1 billion worth of cocaine seized in Vatia, Tavua, before the case goes to trial, the High Court in Ba heard.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) lawyer John Rabuku told the court yesterday the application would allow the defence lawyer to request independent testing of the drugs.

He said 4.5 tonnes had been destroyed, a process that took one-and-a half weeks.

Mr Rabuku said the State had served almost all disclosures.

High Court judge Justice Samuela Qica also granted immunity to four men; Jonathan Pedro Hill, Sunia Vakaloloma, Iliesa Cokanasiga and Travis Cheer, who are among 16 accused.

Mr Rabuku and DPP lawyer Joeli Nasa told the court they had changed their positions on bail as the accused would assist the State in the case.

All four accused, along with Anaseini Rokolati, were granted bail. However, she was not granted immunity.

Bail conditions include two sureties, a non-cash bond of $500, no interference with State witnesses, no reoffending, surrender of travel documents, attendance at all court dates, weekly reporting to the nearest Police station between 6am and 6pm on Saturdays, and not leaving their registered address.

Rokolati was also ordered not to visit her de facto partner and co-accused, Manasa Saladrua, at the remand centre.

Vakaloloma was ordered not to post or make any commentary regarding the case on any social media platform.

The court also heard that Ecuadorian nationals; Alejandro Gonzalez, Luciano Sanchez, Ramona Parraga and Jonathan Bermello, will nominate new defence lawyers by next Monday after declining Legal Aid Commission services.

Lawyer Lavenia Bogitini said she would assist them in securing counsel, but could not confirm whether she would represent them.

Ponipate Mateyawa’s lawyer, Jione Seniroqa, told the court the State had taken too long to file a supplementary affidavit.

This followed submissions by Mr Nasa that there were spelling errors and that eight names needed to be removed from the initial disclosures.

Justice Qica gave the State until Friday to correct the disclosures, after which the accused will be required to take their pleas.

The matter has been adjourned to March 30 to fix a hearing date.

In a separate development, the court heard that Munendra, a driver previously granted immunity, has had the charges against him formally dropped.

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