A recent ruling by the High Court in Suva has resulted in the freezing of cash, groceries, and household items from a couple on Gau Island, amid allegations of their involvement in drug-related activities. The court’s decision was based on a claim that the couple earned $10,000 from the sale of marijuana, which raised sufficient suspicion regarding the legitimacy of their assets.
The Director of Public Prosecutions initiated the seizure, and Justice Vishwa Datt Sharma granted a restraining order over numerous 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 emphasized the significance of the first respondent’s admission that part of the money earned from selling marijuana was used to purchase groceries, while the remaining balance of $4,400 was concealed, leading to a presumption of illicit activity.
The court was informed by police that the woman was arrested in August 2022 after they received tips regarding drug cultivation on Gau Island, from which marijuana was allegedly transported to Suva for sale. During a police interview, she reportedly confessed that money hidden under a carpet was derived from drug sales. Furthermore, her husband acknowledged ownership of the drugs found in their home and assisted police in locating a plantation where 732 cannabis plants, collectively weighing over 190 kilograms, were uprooted. Laboratory tests confirmed that the plants were cannabis sativa, corroborating the allegations against the couple.
Justice Sharma concluded that the necessary threshold for suspicion had been established and upheld the restraining order, highlighting the ongoing police investigations that suggest the couple’s involvement in drug trafficking operations originating from Gau Island. This enforcement action reflects a continued commitment to combat drug-related offenses in the region.