A High Court judge in Lautoka, Justice Aruna Aluthge, has authorized the destruction of a significant quantity of illicit drugs, specifically methamphetamine, which had been part of police evidence. This ruling, issued on Friday, follows an application from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for the disposal of these drugs under the Illicit Drugs Control Act of 2004.
The case is connected to Justin Ho and nine others who are facing charges for importing over 4.2 tons of methamphetamine into Fiji last December, with the street value of the drugs estimated at $2 billion.
In his ruling, Judge Aluthge outlined several important guidelines for the disposal process:
1. A police officer of at least the rank of Assistant Superintendent will be tasked with overseeing the destruction of the drugs through incineration or other secure means.
2. Prior to the destruction, the court and all involved parties must be notified two weeks in advance about the date, location, and method of the destruction.
3. Legal representatives of the respondents may be permitted to observe the destruction process, subject to security protocols.
4. Documentation of the destruction process must include photographs and, if possible, video recordings.
5. To uphold transparency, the ODPP can invite the Resident Magistrate to oversee the destruction.
6. The officer responsible for the disposal must compile a report, signed by themselves and two witnesses, confirming that the drugs were disposed of as per the court order.
7. This report must be submitted to the court within two weeks following the destruction.
This decision marks a critical step in the fight against drug trafficking in Fiji and reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to transparency and due process. It is a hopeful reminder of the ongoing efforts to address the drug crisis, protect communities, and uphold the law. The structured approach to this destruction process indicates a robust legal framework in place to tackle these serious offenses.
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