Ravula and Qing Qing remanded in custody for alleged unlawful possession of meth

Joshua Ravula and Yin Qing Qing have been remanded in custody by Suva Magistrate Sufia Hamza following the discovery of methamphetamine during multiple joint raids conducted in the Central, Southern, and Western Divisions this week.

Both are charged with one count each of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and were arrested on Tuesday in Flagstaff.

Police prosecutor Titilia Ului objected to bail for both accused, stating that Ravula has a bench warrant in a separate matter and the case is of public interest.

Ului further says that Qing Qing is a foreign national and if granted bail, poses a flight risk.

Defence counsel for Ravula, Joji Cakau says they need time to file the bail application and agrees that he has a bench warrant against him.

Defence counsel for Qing Qing, Lavenia Bogitini stressed that her client is not a flight risk because police have already seized her passport.

Bogitini adds that most witnesses are police officers, making interference with them unlikely.

Magistrate Hamza has requested that a Mandarin interpreter be arranged.

The matter has been adjourned to October 9th for the bail application hearing.