Three meth cases merged in Suva Magistrates Court

The Suva Magistrates Court has granted the State’s application to consolidate three drug-related cases involving seven people arrested in Suva last September.

The first case involves Josaia Ravula, who was arrested at the Yue Lai Hotel after allegedly being found in possession of 42.9 grams of methamphetamine.

The second case involves three Chinese nationals — Dai Ming Hui, Yu Yuan Fang and Zhou Lan — who were allegedly found with 39.509 grams of methamphetamine on Rewa Street.

The third case involves Logamarchino Baules, Pauliasi Delai, Ginna Choi, Dai Ming Hui, Yu Yuan Fang and Zhou Lan, who are charged with possession of 0.345 grams of methamphetamine.

All accused appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza yesterday.

In the first matter, Ravula, who has four other pending cases, was given a mention date to fix a trial date in another matter. His lawyer, Amani Bale, told the court he would file a bail application after resolving a bench warrant in the Nasinu Magistrates Court.

In the second matter, Delai’s lawyer, Jerry Dinati, sought further disclosures from the State, saying his client had only received partial disclosures. He also told the court the defence would file voir dire grounds challenging the chain of custody of the drugs.

SLS Legal partner Shirley Tivao, who represents the Chinese nationals, confirmed similar applications would be filed for Dai and Zhou, challenging the caution interviews and alleging assault was used to obtain confessions.

Ms Tivao informed the court they were still awaiting Dai’s blood test results, while police were yet to act on Yu’s complaint of abuse.

The court also granted permission for Zhou to undergo a medical examination at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital for a skin condition.

The State prosecutor has been given until February 19 to file and serve the consolidated charges. Tentative trial dates have been set for August.