The re-trial of Aiden Alec Hurtado who is alleged to have imported 20.5kg of illicit drugs into the country in February in 2014 started before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe today.
Hurtado is alleged to have imported cocaine into Fiji without lawful authority.
Assistant DPP, Michael Delaney told the court that Hurtado came from South America and was involved with a group of people who were dealing with cocaine.
The state’s first witness, Jolame Rabuka who is a customs officer at Nadi Airport told the assessors that Hurtado had presented an American passport upon arriving at Nadi Airport and also said that he will be staying at Castaway Island Resort.
Rabuka says that Hurtado spoke in the English language and understood the language.
The trial continues in the Suva High Court.
