Nine Convicted in Major Methamphetamine Bust
Lautoka High Court Delivers Verdict in Multi-Tonne Drug Case
Nine individuals have been found guilty by the Lautoka High Court in connection with the seizure of over 4.1 tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi, Fiji.
Guilty Verdicts Delivered
The court found **Justin Ho**, **David Heritage**, **Louie Logaivau**, **Jale Aukerea**, **Sakiusa Tuva**, **Ratu Aporosa Davelevu**, **Ratu Osea Levula**, **Cathy Tuirabe**, and **Viliame Colawaliku** guilty of charges related to the importation and possession of the substantial drug haul.
The illegal activity reportedly occurred between November 2023 and January 2024. **Justin Ho**, **Louie Logaivau**, and **Jale Aukerea** also faced additional charges concerning the possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Complex Charges and Specific Roles
Justice Aruna Aluthge presided over the trial, delivering the guilty verdicts for the accused persons on their respective charges. However, **Ratu Aporosa Davelevu** and **Louie Logaivau** were acquitted of one count each concerning unlawful possession of illicit drugs and possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Evidence presented indicated that **Ho** and **David Heritage** were involved in facilitating the importation of approximately 4,800 kilograms of methamphetamine. Separately, **Heritage** and **Louie Frank Penijamini Logaivau** were charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs without legal authority at Fantasy Island, Nadi, on December 23, 2023.
**Ho** and **Logaivau** also faced charges for unlawful possession of narcotics in Denarau, Nadi, where they were found with 4,800 kilograms of the substance. **Logaivau** and **Ratu Aporosa Davelevu** were implicated in unlawful possession of drugs between December 28 and 29, 2023, in Nadi, and were involved in the handling and transport of 4,800 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Further allegations involved **Logaivau** and **Ratu Aporosa Davelevu** again for unlawful possession of illicit drugs on December 29, 2023, at Motorex Yard, Nadi. **Sakiusa Tuva**, **Ratu Osea Levula**, and **Cathy Tuirabe** were charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs in Nadi between December 29, 2023, and January 14, 2024, also reportedly involved in the drug’s transfer and transportation.
**Jale Aukerea** was charged with unlawful drug possession and dealing in the transfer and transport of 1,100 kilograms of methamphetamine in Nadi between January 13 and 20, 2024.
Financial Trail Investigated
The financial aspects of the operation were also scrutinized. **Justin Ho** was charged with possessing cash totalling FJ$21,691.60, AUD$450.00, and USD$100.00 in Taveuni on January 23, 2024, believed to be proceeds of crime. **Logaivau** was also charged with possession of suspected criminal proceeds, found with FJD$112.25 in Taveuni on the same date.
**Jale Aukerea** faced a similar charge, having possessed FJD$2,100.85 in Taveuni on January 23, 2024, also suspected of being linked to illicit activities.
Sentencing Next Week
The sentencing hearing for all nine convicted individuals is scheduled for next Friday. This conviction marks a significant victory for law enforcement in combating drug trafficking. For context, global seizures of methamphetamine reached a record high in 2023, with authorities confiscating an estimated 350 tonnes worldwide (UNODC 2023 Report).
