The Suva High Court has ordered the State to re-test the contents and verify the weight of the drugs in the case of Colombian national Aiden Alec Hurtado, who was convicted of unlawful possession of illicit drugs in 2017.
The case was called before Suva High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe this week to ascertain the status of the 18 kilograms of cocaine tendered as exhibits and determine whether the drugs had been destroyed following the conclusion of the trial.
Hurtado was convicted in 2017 for the unlawful importation of 18 kilograms of cocaine into Fiji in 2014.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Hurtado was initially acquitted in 2015 and, following an appeal by the State, the matter was remitted to the Suva High Court for a retrial, which resulted in his conviction.
The ODPP says Hurtado was subsequently sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 15 years.
However, after taking into account the time he had already spent on remand, his final sentence was 13 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 11 years and 11 months.
During the proceedings, Justice Rajasinghe sought confirmation from the State on the status of the drug exhibits, and the State informed the court that the drugs had not been destroyed and remained in police custody.
Justice Rajasinghe ordered the State to re-test the contents and verify the weight of the drugs.
Upon confirmation, the court will make further orders as necessary.
The matter has been adjourned until the 23rd of this month for mention to check on the testing and weight verification of the illicit drugs.
