Cop Among Three Denied Bail on Drug-related Case

Being a police officer does not automatically give you the green light, Magistrate Semi Babitu said when denying bail to a police officer charged in a drug-related case.

The accused include police officer Apenisa Laisave Matadigo, 39, from the Police Counter Narcotics Bureau, Are Tanai, 35, and Viliame Nalagi, 39.

They fronted court facing multiple charges and were all denied bail.

Legal Aid Commission (LAC) lawyer James Chang represented Tanai and Nalagi, while LAC lawyer Aliti Mario represented Matadigo. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Parmesh Chand appeared for the police prosecution.

Tanai is charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and two counts of unlawful supply of illicit drugs.

Matadigo is charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, two counts of unlawful supply of illicit drugs, and one count of possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

Nalagi is charged with one count each of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and unlawful supply of illicit drugs.

The court heard that between May 14 and May 16 in Nadi, the three allegedly facilitated the importation of 4.8685kg of methamphetamine.

Police prosecution objected to bail. ASP Chand told the court that the case was serious, involve a high tariff, and of public interest.

He warned that if the accused were released on bail, they might interfere with the community.

He added that the matter was still under investigation, as a foreign national who attempted to flee the country but is linked to the case was currently in police custody.

The prosecutor also revealed that the police officer has been suspended.

“This morning (yesterday) I was in a Skype meeting with COMPOL, and he said that the officer has been suspended,” he said.

Ms Mario, in her bail application, said that her clients should be released on bail as they were innocent until proven guilty by the court.

Mr Chang asked the court if the three could be kept in the same room at the remand centre. Magistrate Babitu denied bail and, in his ruling, said there was a great need to protect the community, which was at risk from these hard drugs.

The matter has been adjourned and transferred to the Lautoka High Court, on June 2.

He said Nadi had become a hotspot for drug-related cases, and there was a need to keep the area safe at all costs.

He reminded the police officer that he was fully aware of the responsibilities and consequences when he joined the force, a role that is not easy.

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