A Fijian court has further remanded a Tongan national and two Fijian citizens after being charged with drug-related offences.
The trio was allegedly found in possession of methamphetamine and cannabis at a hotel in Suva.
The accused have been identified as Mafua Afimeimounga (Tongan citizen) and Fijians Mohammed Aziz and Merelita Kusuna.
According to Fiji’s FBC news, the trio has each been charged with possession of 2.260 grams of methamphetamine and 1.4 grams of cannabis.
“The court also heard that Afimeimounga is facing a separate but similar charge related to methamphetamine possession,” the paper said.
Bail was denied for all three, with the prosecution arguing that methamphetamine remains a serious national concern and raising the risk of the accused absconding.
The case was called in court this week, where their bail applications were reviewed.
However, the court deferred a formal decision, and the three will reappear on July 25 for further proceedings regarding their bail status.
This incident follows a series of recent drug busts in Fiji, where authorities have intensified operations targeting both local and transnational drug networks.
The case underscores the challenges Tongan and Fijian authorities face in combating drug abuse.
A case currently being heard in a Fijian court is being described as Fiji’s largest-ever drug bust, involving the alleged importation of more than 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine.
A Tongan court is hearing the case of a National Reserve Bank (NRBT) employee arrested with roughly 15kg of cocaine seized from the bank.
