Drug Charged Duo Denied Bail

A former flight attendant, 19, and a 48-year-old man facing drug charges were refused bail by the Lautoka Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Alzaid Shain Rizwan Ali and Grace Katia Liuvoliga are charged with two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of attempted unlawful exportation of illicit drugs.

The matter was heard before Magistrate Jagath Hemantha and the duo were represented by lawyer Iqbal Khan, while Alvin Singh appeared for the prosecution.

For the first count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, the duo were allegedly in possession of 12.33 kilograms of cocaine, an illicit drug, without lawful authority at the Vuda Bypass Road in Lautoka on February 15.

For the second count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, they allegedly without lawful authority, engaged in dealing for the transfer and transport of 12.33 kilograms of cocaine, an illicit drug, at the Vuda Bypass Road to Field 40, Lautoka, on February 15.

Defence lawyer Iqbal Khan and his client Alzaid Shain Rizwan Ali. (Right) Grace Katia Liuvoliga is escorted out of the Lautoka Magistrate’s Court on February 22, 2024. Photo: Salote Qalubau

Mr Singh told the court that Ali had pending matters before the Magistrate’s Court in Nadi, namely criminal intimidation, unlawful possession of illicit drugs and drunkard conduct at a police station. He also told the court that Ali committed certain offences while on bail for a separate case.

Magistrate Hemantha said the accused persons were facing serious charges pertaining to hard drugs and ordered that they remain in custody as investigations were ongoing.

He said the strict bail conditions proposed by Mr Khan were not sufficient.

The matter has been transferred to the High Court in Lautoka and will be heard on March 4.

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