Two counter narcotics officers remanded as court weighs bail

Two senior officers from the Police Counter Narcotics Bureau will remain in remand as the Suva Magistrates Court considers their bail applications.

Corporal Varinava Sabua and Sergeant Isireli Waqairalai Daulevu appeared separately in court, both represented by senior lawyer Jioji Cakau of Vosarogo Lawyers.

Sabua appeared before Resident Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi, charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of receiving a corrupt benefit.

It is alleged that between April 25, 2024, and February 27, 2025, he conspired with a well-known drug dealer to arrange payments to Customs, Immigration and Police officers to lift a Departure Prohibition Order on a person of interest.

He is further accused of receiving $22,877.27 via Western Union transfers between January and December 2024.

Daulevu appeared before Magistrate Prabodh Somaratne charged with abuse of office after allegedly executing a search warrant at Vodafone Fiji and unlawfully disclosing the results to a third party, Viliame Nailagi.

Police prosecutors opposed bail, arguing there was a high risk of interference with state witnesses, particularly given the officers’ seniority, and citing public interest in light of the pending 4.7kg methamphetamine case. They said drug crimes were a serious and growing concern in Fiji.

Defence counsel countered that both men were first offenders, innocent until proven guilty, and willing to comply with strict bail conditions.

He said Sabua was recovering from illness and questioned prosecution claims of interference, noting drug exhibits were securely locked in the Police exhibit room.

Magistrate Somaratne allowed Daulevu’s counsel to file a formal bail application, giving time for his case file to be transferred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. His bail hearing is set for October 1, while Sabua’s ruling will be delivered today.