The Labasa Magistrate’s Court has convicted Solomone Bonasere for his role in the possession of 32.8 grams of marijuana, while his co-accused, Abdul Shabbir, was acquitted of the charges. The case dates back to 2022 and highlights significant details regarding the events leading up to the conviction.
During the judgment delivered by Magistrate Safaira Ratu, it was revealed that a police constable witnessed Bonasere throwing a milk powder packet onto the driver’s seat, where Shabbir was seated at the time. Upon investigation, the packet was found to contain dried leaves identified as marijuana.
Shabbir, a taxi driver, maintained in court that he discovered the packet on the front seat and promptly handed it over to the police. Testimonies indicated that as law enforcement searched the vehicle, two individuals fled from the scene, yet Shabbir remained present and was seen retrieving the milk powder packet from the rear passenger door.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ratu determined that Shabbir was simply performing his duties as a taxi driver, and rejecting passengers could harm his livelihood. Consequently, she ruled that Shabbir successfully rebutted the presumption of possession, establishing that he had no prior knowledge of the drugs.
Conversely, the court deemed Bonasere’s defense as a “blanket denial,” dismissing his assertions that he neither fled nor threw the packet. The prosecution’s case against him was compelling enough to lead to his conviction.
Shabbir was represented in court by lawyer Mohammed Saneem from Saneem Lawyers. This case underscores the necessity for clarity and due diligence in legal matters regarding possession and knowledge of illicit substances.
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