Assistant Superintendent of Police Tevita Naodele has told the Suva Magistrates Court that the team did not have time to obtain search warrants before searches were conducted at two properties on Rewa Street in September last year.
While giving evidence during the hearing, Naodele says that on 23rd September, he received instructions that assistance was required at Yue Lai Hotel in Flagstaff after drugs were found.
He confirms that he personally attended the scene.
Naodele says Josua Ravula and two other suspects had gone to Rewa Street, where another raid was taking place.
He says police first went to Lot 134 Rewa Street, to check on the suspects, and after completing the search there, they proceeded to Lot 170 Rewa Street.
During cross-examination, Naodele says officers were informed about the searches through a Viber group.
Naodele clarified that they did not have time to obtain search warrants.
This afternoon, defence lawyer Shirley Tivou objected to the State calling its 17th witness, arguing that the witness's evidence would be hearsay.
However, the State argued that the evidence is not hearsay.
Suva Magistrate Sufia Hamza will rule on the matter tomorrow.
Yu Yang Feng, Minghui Dai and Zhou Lan are each charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs for allegedly being found with 39.509 grams of methamphetamine.
Lan is also charged with possession of property suspected to be proceeds of a crime for allegedly being found with FJD$7,180, USD$60, 1,520 in Hong Kong currency and 1,600 Chinese yuan.
Feng is also charged with unlawful supply of illicit drugs.
It is alleged that on the 23rd of September, 2025, without lawful authority, Feng engaged in dealings with other persons for the transport and supply of methamphetamine.
He is also charged with being in possession of property suspected to be proceeds of a crime.
Feng was allegedly found with $906.25 in cash.
Choi and Peniasi Delai are charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs for allegedly being found with 0.345 grams of methamphetamine.
