Court Orders Destruction of $2 Billion Methamphetamine Cache

A significant legal ruling has taken place in Lautoka, where Justice Aruna Aluthge of the High Court has authorized the destruction of a remaining batch of illicit methamphetamine that was part of police evidence. This decision comes after an application was submitted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), in accordance with the Illicit Drugs Control Act of 2004.

This case is linked to Justin Ho and a group of nine others who stand accused of illegally importing over 4.2 tons of methamphetamine into Fiji last December, with an astonishing street value estimated at $2 billion.

In his ruling, Judge Aluthge stipulated several important procedures to ensure the proper and transparent destruction of the illicit drugs:

1. A police officer of at least the rank of Assistant Superintendent, designated by the Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), will be responsible for the incineration or safe disposal of the drugs.
2. Prior to the destruction, the court and all parties involved will be notified two weeks in advance about the timing, location, and method of destruction.
3. Legal counsel for the respondents may be permitted to observe the destruction process, respecting security protocols.
4. The destruction process must be documented through photographs and ideally video recordings.
5. To enhance transparency, the ODPP can invite the local Resident Magistrate to witness the destruction.
6. A report confirming the destruction, signed by the responsible police officer and two witnesses, must be submitted to the court within two weeks post-destruction.

This ruling marks a crucial step in addressing and combating drug trafficking and will likely serve as a deterrent to similar criminal activities in the future. It illustrates the commitment of the Fijian legal system to ensure that justice is effectively served and that illegal substances are disposed of in a lawful and transparent manner.

Overall, this decision not only reinforces the integrity of the judicial processes but also promotes public trust in the system’s ability to handle illicit drug issues firmly and efficiently.