ODPP to seek destruction of 4.1 tonnes of meth

ACTING Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku says his office intends to apply for the destruction of the 4.1 tonnes of methamphetamine found in Nadi.

Responding to a suggestion by former assistant commissioner of police Henry Brown that the DPP should apply to the courts to have the meth destroyed, Mr Rabuku said it was part of their plans.

“The next court appearance is this Friday (today) when we will be submitting our disclosures and then our application to have the meth destroyed will be submitted soon after,” said Mr Rabuku.

“In our very first appearance I had informed the court we intended to make a submission to have the meth destroyed because of the large amount of meth that was found.

“However, it was opposed by the defence, Iqbal Khan, who indicated that the State was not entitled to destroy exhibits even before trial.”

When questioned about the concerns of the safekeeping of the large volume of the drug, Mr Rabuku said he had faith in the police to ensure its protection.

“I have faith in our police officers to ensure that it is secured.

“It is the rogue forces that would try to intercept and take this haul that we should be concerned about.

“That is the reason that we will be making this submission.

“In the meantime, I trust our officers to keep the meth safe.

“It is the rogue forces from outside having influence within who would try to interfere with its safekeeping.

“That is why we would be making an application sooner rather than later to have the drugs destroyed.”

The case against the 13 accused charged in relation to the drug find would be called at the High Court in Lautoka this morning.

Mr Brown had questioned why the 4.1 tonnes of meth were still being kept?

“In my experience, you take the photo and you take the sample as much as you can,” said Mr Brown.

“You go to the DPP and say make an application to court, enter it into evidence and let the magistrates see and get the disposal order and dispose of it.

“Why keep it?”