Lautoka Duo Plead Not Guilty to Drug Charges

Alzaid Shain Rizwan Ali and Grace Katia Liuvoliga pleaded not guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of attempted exportation of illicit drugs at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.

The court heard that Ali and Liuvoliga were allegedly found in possession of 12.33 kilograms of cocaine at the Vuda Bypass Road in Lautoka on February 15.

On the same day allegedly engaged in dealing in the transfer and transportation of the same illicit drug to Field 40.

The duo also attempted to facilitate the exportation of 12.33 kilograms of cocaine.

The matter was heard before High Court Judge, Justice Riyaz Hamza, Iqbal Khan represented the duo while Rukalesi Uce appeared for the state.

Ms Uce told the court that the state would be relying on the accused persons’ caution interview statements while Mr Khan told the court that there were partial admissions by his clients therefore defence would be challenging the statements.

Mr Khan also told the court that if the state had any further disclosures it should be filed by the next mention date.

The court heard Mr Khan would need to file voir dire grounds for his clients before the next date.

Ms Uce objected bail for the duo on the last occasion and sought seven days to file its affidavit in opposition to the bail applications.

However, Mr Khan told the court that if the state was objecting to bail then it should be prepared.

Justice Hamza said Mr Khan was at liberty to file a response by the next date.

He also told Ms Uce to take Liuvoliga’s age into consideration since she had just turned 19 at the time of the offence.

The substantiative and bail matters have been adjourned to April 30 for mention and the accused persons are still remanded in custody.

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