A recent ruling by the High Court in Suva has led to the freezing of assets belonging to a couple on Gau Island, who are under investigation for their alleged participation in drug-trafficking activities. The court’s decision, prompted by claims that the couple profited $10,000 from marijuana sales, highlights concerns regarding the legitimacy of their possessions.
The Director of Public Prosecutions sought the seizure, and Justice Vishwa Datt Sharma granted a restraining order on various items, including $4,400 in cash, over $3,600 worth of groceries, solar equipment, a chest freezer, mobile phones, and a Yamaha outboard engine. In his judgment delivered on January 21, Justice Sharma pointed out the couple’s admission that funds generated from drug sales were used to purchase groceries, while a hidden sum of $4,400 raised suspicions of illicit activity.
Policing efforts revealed that the woman was arrested in August 2022 following tips about drug cultivation on Gau Island, where marijuana was allegedly shipped to Suva for distribution. During police questioning, she reportedly confessed that money concealed under a carpet was linked to her drug dealings. Additionally, her husband admitted ownership of the drugs discovered at their residence and assisted law enforcement in locating a plantation that yielded 732 cannabis plants, weighing over 190 kilograms. Laboratory tests confirmed that these plants were cannabis sativa, supporting the allegations against the couple.
Justice Sharma determined that sufficient evidence of suspicion had been met, thereby affirming the restraining order and underscoring the ongoing police investigations into the couple’s purported drug trafficking activities stemming from Gau Island. This judicial action illustrates a persistent dedication to combating drug-related crimes in the region, reinforcing community safety and legal integrity.