7 in court after Police drug operation
Seven Kadavu men were produced in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday before Magistrate Waleen George on charges of drug possession and cultivation.
The men were arrested following a week-long raid by the Fiji Police Force as part of its Operation Cavuraki on the island.
They appeared on separate files and were all further remanded in custody until December 1.
Full phase disclosures were served to the men by Police Prosecutor Corporal Josua Shaw in court. Man 1: Ameo Maravou, 29-yearsold, appeared with his lawyer Aseri Vakaloloma charged with one count of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs.
On November 10 this year without lawful authority he allegedly cultivated five kilograms worth of Indian hemp known as cannabis sativa.
Magistrate George informed Mr Vakaloloma that his client’s case would be transferred to the Suva High Court because the amount found was more than four kilograms. Mr Vakaloloma was advised to make a formal bail application in the High Court.
Man 2: Iliesa Kamunaga, 50-years-old, was also represented by Mr Vakaloloma on a count of unlawful cultivation where he is alleged to have cultivated 20 plants of Indian hemp weighing 1.1 kilogrammes.
The alleged incident happened on November 9, 2017.
His case was transferred to be heard before the Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili on December 1, 2017.
Kamunaga was remanded in custody and his lawyer was also advised to make a formal bail application before Magistrate Ratuvili.
Man 3: Ratu Kadavu Sivonaivalu, 41-years-old, is alleged to have cultivated 21 plants of illicit drugs namely Indian hemp on November 10, 2017 weighing three kilogrammes.
Sivonaivalu waived his right to a lawyer and was advised to fill his bail form if he wanted to be released on bail.
His case was transferred to be heard by Magistrate Ratuvili on December 1, 2017.
Man 4: Anare Maravu, 30-yearsold, is charged with a count of unlawful possession where he was allegedly found in possession of 2.6 kilogrammes of Indian hemp on November 9, 2017.
Maravu waived his right to a lawyer and his case was transferred to the Magistrates Court One before Magistrate Ratuvili.
Man 5: Iowane Malakai, 53-yearsold, indicated to the court that he wanted Legal Aid representation.
He is alleged to have cultivated three plants of illicit drugs namely Indian hemp weighing at 44.5 grams. The alleged incident happened on November 11, 2017. Malakai was further remanded in custody and his case was transferred to be heard by Magistrate Ratuvili on December 1, 2017.
Man 6: Semi Tuikawakawa, 27-years-old, also sought Legal Aid representation in Court.
He is charged with one count of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs where he is alleged to have cultivated eight kilograms of Indian hemp on November 9, 2017. Tuikawakawa’s case was transferred to the High Court as the amount of drugs involved was more than four kilograms.
His case was adjourned to December 1, 2017 for first call in the High Court.
Man 7: Ratu Ilaitia Lewanavanua, 33-years-old, also appeared before Magistrate George charged with one count each of criminal intimidation and resisting arrest. On November 15, 2017 for the first count of criminal intimidation without lawful excuse he allegedly threatened a Police officer with a cane knife with intent to cause harm to him.
On the same day he allegedly resisted the Police officer from executing his duty.
Magistrate George said the offences were quite serious and transferred it to Magistrate Ratuvili’s court. Lewanavanua was further remanded in custody and his case was adjourned to December 1, 2017.