Trial date set for trio in Suva meth case

A hearing date has been set for the case of three Chinese nationals charged with possession and supply of 39.5 grams of methamphetamine.

Dai Ming Hui, Zhou Lan, and Yu Yuan Fang appeared with their lawyers, Shirley Tivao and Lavenia Bogitini, at the Suva Magistrate Court this morning for their plea and bail ruling.

All three accused face one count of unlawful possession and supply of 39.5 grams of methamphetamine. Zhou and Dai also face additional charges of possessing over $7,000 in local and foreign currency suspected to be proceeds of crime. Yu is also charged with possession of suspected proceeds of crime.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 Bail denied

During the proceedings, Magistrate Viniana Diroiroi denied their bail application, stating that the case is of public interest and that communication with their defence lawyers was not difficult.

Although noting the Police prosecution’s change of stance to no longer objecting to the bail application, Magistrate Diroiroi said the matter involved drugs, which raised broader concerns about justice.

Earlier, Ms Tivao told the court that her clients had no family in the country to visit them at the Suva Remand Centre. She said she had not been able to have a proper conversation with her clients, as Police had not provided adequate space for discussions.

An interpreter was present in court to translate the charges to the accused. All three entered not-guilty pleas. Dai admitted that the Hong Kong currency belonged to him.

Ms Tivao requested an early bail ruling, noting that her clients were willing to comply with any conditions set by the court. She said they were prepared to pay cash bail and were not flight risks, as Police had confiscated their passports and mobile phones.

She also mentioned that their home on Rewa Street was currently vacant, with all their belongings left unattended. Ms Tivao told the court that she and her clients’ friends had been turned away from the Remand Centre because they were not family members.

She requested an earlier hearing date in November, citing that her clients’ visas were due to expire soon, Dai and Yu’s on November 6, and Zhou’s on November 20.

After careful consideration, Magistrate Diroiroi sternly advised Sergeant Taito to ensure that all 16 witnesses are summoned and that administrative matters are resolved before the hearing date. The production order for all three accused was extended.