Trial date set for Chinese-drug accused trio

Three Chinese nationals who were allegedly found with methamphetamine and a large amount of cash in Rewa Street, Suva, last month will stand trial early next month.

Yu Yang Feng, Dai Ming Hui, and Zhou Lan appeared before Suva Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi today, where they were remanded in custody. The trio’s trial has been scheduled for November 4, 5 and 7.

Defence lawyer Lavenia Bogitini told the court that she had filed a bail application for Zhou and intends to make similar applications for Yu and Dai later today.

Ms Bogitini also raised health and welfare concerns, telling the court that Zhou had developed rashes from bed bugs at the remand centre, and urged that detainees be kept in clean conditions. She said that although her client had received injections, the issue remained unresolved.

The lawyer further told the court that she has been unable to hold private consultations with her clients because corrections officers remain within arm’s reach during their discussions. She argued that this restricts her ability to prepare an adequate defence, especially with the trial only three weeks away.

Magistrate Diroiroi questioned whether the issue had been raised with the Fiji Corrections Service authorities.

Ms Bogitini confirmed that she had done so but was told that the officers were following standard procedure. She maintained that this practice infringes on her clients’ constitutional rights.

Police prosecutors told the court that the case file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which will now take carriage of the matter. All three accused are charged with one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs after being allegedly found with 39.509 grams of methamphetamine.

Zhou also faces a separate charge of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, after police allegedly found $7180, US$60, HK$1520, and 1600 Chinese yuan in her possession.

Yu faces two additional charges, unlawful supply of illicit drugs and possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime. He was allegedly found with $906.25 in cash and is accused of engaging in the transport and supply of methamphetamine.

The case has been adjourned to October 27 for mention.