Yu Yang Feng, Minghui Dai, Zhou Lan, Ginna Choi, Lagomarcino Baules and Peniasi Delai who were allegedly found with methamphetamine and a large sum of money on Tuesday have been remanded in custody by the Suva Magistrates Court.
Feng, Dai and Lan appeared before Suva Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi while Ginna Choi, Logamaisino Baules and Peniasi Delai appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this afternoon.
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 charged with possession of property suspected to be proceeds of a crime for allegedly being found with $7,180FJD, $60USD, $1,520 Hong Kong currency and 1,600 Chinese Yuan.
Feng is also charged with unlawful supply of illicit drugs.
It is alleged that on Tuesday, 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 cash.
As the court's interpreter was not present, a police interpreter was used, however, Feng, while speaking in English told the court that he is unable to understand the translation.
Magistrate Diroiroi has also ordered for a Mandarin interpreter to be present in court.
Their counsel Shirley Tivau made an oral bail application where she says the three are pleasing not guilty to the charges.
She says they have been in custody for more than 48 hours and their rights have been breached.
Tivou says, Lan, the female accused, was strip searched.
She says there was also no one present during the raid who could speak Mandarin.
The defence counsel also says that she will be potentially file a constitutional redress and if the three are in remand, it will be difficult to get their instructions as they will be required to bring an interpreter.
Tivau also says they are not a flight risk as their travel documents are with the police.
She says that the accused are tourists in Fiji and admits the large sum of money found in their possession was for their spending here.
Tivou also says that Lan was to leave Fiji on Tuesday but since her arrest, she has been unable to contact her family.
She says they also need to make arrangements, including cash through the mobile app We Chat, but their phones have been confiscated.
Tivau also says that they are little to no chance of them interfering with the witnesses as most of them are police officers.
Police prosecution objected to bail as these are preliminary charges and investigations are on going.
He says if bailed, they could hamper further investigation.
The prosecution says for this reason, their phone and cash have been confiscated.
The matter has been adjourned to next Friday for bail ruling.
Choi, Baules and Delai are also charged with one count unlawful possession of illicit drugs for allegedly being found with 0.345 grams of methamphetamine on Tuesday.
It is alleged that Baleus, on the 3rd and 9th of September, while being a visitor to Fiji, failed to comply with his visitors visa and overstayed.
Police Prosecution, Sergeant John Tupua objected to bail citing that it is a matter of public interest.
Magistrate Prasad has told their lawyer to file a formal bail application and their matter will be called on the 7th of October.
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