The defence counsel for the 4 Ecuadorian nationals accused in the $3 billion Vatia cocaine bust have alleged that their clients were kidnapped by a drug cartel and forced to transport the cocaine to Fiji.
The 4 include 47-year-old Luciano Sanchez, 30-year-Jonathan Bermello, 52-year-old Ramon Parraga, and 47-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez.
They, along with 10 others are charged in three separate matters appeared in the Lautoka High Court.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions informed the court that these four raised their allegations during the caution interview.
The State has sought 21 days to investigate these claims.
Another accused, 24-year-old Bainivalu Suguturaga also claimed he was assaulted while he was in remand and filed a medical report.
He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawful possession for transportation and transfer of 155.6 kilograms of cocaine and 1 count of serious assault for resisting arrest.
There are three separate cases with relation to the cocaine find in Vatia, Ba.
In the first case Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez, Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello and Bainivalu Suguturaga have been charged.
Munendra was also charged but he has been given immunity.
They are charged with a count of unlawful importation of 2644.5 kilograms of cocaine, one count of unlawful possession of 2644.5 kilograms of cocaine while the Ecuadorian nationals are charged with a count of unlawful entry into Fiji.
The second case includes Ponipate Seuvou Mateyawa, John Toatala, Iliesa Cokanasiga, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa and Johnathan Pedro Hill where immunity is granted to Cokanasiga and Hill.
Mateyawa, Toatala and Qolimaiwasa are charged with conspiracy to unlawfully possess 2,644.5 kilograms of cocaine, allegedly involving the transfer of the drugs between 1st November 2025 and 17th January 2026.
It is alleged that Toatala was in possession of $500 cash suspected to be proceeds of crime on January 17th, 2026.
Toatala and Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa were allegedly found in possession of assorted items suspected to be proceeds of crime on January 17th, 2026.
In the third case, Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau, Sunia Cama Vakaloloma, Travis Cheer and Anaseini Rokolati have been charged where immunity has been granted to Vakaloloma and Travis Cheer.
Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau and Anaseini Rokolati are charged with conspiracy to commit unlawful possession of 2,644.5 kilograms of cocaine, allegedly engaging in the transfer of the drugs between 1st November 2025 and 17th January 2026.
Saladrau and Rokolati are also charged with unlawful possession of 0.8122 grams of cocaine on 1st February 2026.
Saladrau is further charged with damaging evidence, allegedly wilfully destroying his mobile phone at the Lautoka Police Station on 2nd February 2026, which may have been required as evidence.
The ODPP says they cannot disclose conditions for granting immunity to Munendra, Iliesa Cokanasiga, Jonathan Hill, Sunia Cama and Travis Cheer.
However it is understood that those given immunity will give evidence for the State.
The matter has been adjourned to April 21st.
