Bail hearing for Nadi drug charged five deferred
The bail hearing for Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Cathy Bainisavu, Ratu Osea Levula, David Heritage and Viliame Colowailiku has been deferred to next month.
The accused persons are facing drug charges along with five other people.
Charges:
Justin Ho, David Heritage, Louie Logaivau , Ratu Aporosa Davelevu , Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Bainisavu, Jale Aukerea, Keanie Mcpherson and Viliame Colowailiku, are charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs. Ho and Heritage are also charged with unlawful importation of illicit drugs.
Additionally, Ho, Logaivau and Aukerea are charged with having property suspected of being proceeds of crime. It is alleged the three accused persons were found in possession of cash (local and overseas currency) suspected of being proceeds of crime. It is alleged that between last November to December, and January, 2024, the accused persons without lawful authority facilitated the importation and were found in possession of 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamine, an illicit drug. The case was heard before High Court Judge Justice Aruna Aluthge and Heritage was represented by Iqbal Khan, Davelevu by Salvin Nand, Levula by Mosese Naivalu, Bainisavu, Edwin Wainiqolo and Colowaliku by the Legal Aid Commission while the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku appeared for the State. The matter was for the bail hearing, however their respective lawyers told the court they wanted to wait for the full disclosures to be provided and for the five to take their plea first.
The court heard that Bainisavu’s lawyer withdrew her bail application as he wanted to submit a new one.
Justice Hamza said he would call the matter again on April 18 to extend the accused persons remand warrant and he adjourned the substantive and bail matters respectively to May 3 for mention.