A High Court judge in Lautoka, Justice Aruna Aluthge, has ordered the destruction of a significant quantity of methamphetamine that was part of police evidence. The order was granted following an application from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which sought to dispose of the exhibited illicit drugs in accordance with Section 30 (3) of the Illicit Drugs Control Act of 2004.
This decision relates to a case involving Justin Ho and nine other individuals accused of importing over 4.2 tons of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion, into Fiji last December.
In the ruling, Judge Aluthge outlined several key protocols for the destruction process:
1. A police officer, not below the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, designated by the Commissioner of Police, will be responsible for the disposal of the drugs, either through incineration or another safe destruction method.
2. The court and all involved parties must receive a two-week notice before the destruction, detailing the date, site, and method of destruction.
3. Legal representatives of the defendants may be permitted to observe the destruction process, subject to security protocols.
4. The entire destruction procedure must be photographed and ideally video recorded for documentation.
5. To guarantee transparency and judicial oversight, the ODPP may invite the Resident Magistrate from the relevant area to witness the destruction.
6. A report confirming that the illicit drugs have been disposed of according to the court’s order will be prepared by the officer in charge of the disposal, accompanied by two witnesses.
7. This report must be submitted to the court within two weeks following the destruction.
This ruling underscores the judicial system’s commitment to managing drug-related crimes with transparency and thorough oversight. It emphasizes the importance of following procedural integrity to enhance public trust in law enforcement actions against drug trafficking.
The emphasis on transparency and judicial supervision in the destruction process serves as a hopeful sign that authorities are taking robust measures to combat drug-related crimes and hold those responsible accountable.
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