The trial of 11 accused persons charged in relation to the 2,644.5 kilograms of cocaine in the Vatia drug case has been set for the first week of February to the last week of March 2027.
The State has consolidated all separate proceedings into one case, where all the 11 accused each pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.
The accused are Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez, Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, Anand Kumar, also known as Bobby, Bainivalu Suguturaga, Ponipate Seuvou Mateyawa, John Toatala, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau and Anaseini Lisa Kinikinilau Rokolati.
The alleged offences occurred between 1 November 2025 and 2 February 2026 in the Central and Western divisions.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says the defence counsel who intend to challenge the admissibility of their clients’ caution interviews have been directed to file the grounds by 31st October.
The State will consider and address the relevant issues in November and December.
The ODPP says the four Ecuadorian nationals are not challenging their caution interviews and have indicated that they will be running a defence of duress.
They say the other defence counsel have sought time to consider their clients’ positions in relation to admissions or confessions contained in their caution interviews.
The ODPP counsel has also indicated to the court that it will file an application for the destruction of the seized illicit drugs within 14 days.
Defence counsel have been requested to advise the State by email if they object to the proposed destruction, together with the reasons for their objections.
The application for destruction is to be filed and served by the next court date.
The matter has been adjourned to 15th October.
