Third Cop In Alleged Drug Planting Case Appears In Court

A third Police officer, alleged to have planted drugs in order to obtain money from a Suva businessman, has been ordered to stay away from witnesses and investigation in the matter.

Constable Jesoni Dranivesi was produced yesterday before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa, accompanied by Magistrate Shirley Kiran.

Dranivesi is charged with one count of abuse of office.

It is alleged that on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Cumming Street, Suva, Dranivesi along with two other Police officers charged earlier raided LB Masters and in the process, the officers demanded money from the complainant. They allegedly succeeded by taking $1500 which was obtained by way of threat.

Right to counsel was put to Dranivesi and he sought assistance from the Legal Aid Commission.

Magistrate Daurewa said Dranivesi was charged with an indictable offence which was triable summarily.

Magistrate Daurewa asked the accused whether he wished to wait for his legal representation to be confirmed and then decide whether to be tried in Magistrates Court or the High Court.

Dranivesi said he wished to seek assistance from the Legal Aid Commission before he could take an election on court.

For Bail, prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Bhavna Kantharia, did not object to bail, however, asked for strict bail conditions.

The court granted bail to Dranivesi in the sum of $1000 – non-cash, ordered him not to change his residential address and not to interfere with the witnesses and the pending investigation in the matter.

The matter was adjourned to October 5, 2021, for mention.

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