The issue of whether the Magistrates Court can hear charges relating to proceeds of crime has been raised by Office of the DPP lawyer Eoghn Samisoni in the Rewa Street and Flagstaff drug bust matter.
Yin Qing Qing had previously pleaded guilty to a proceeds of crime charge and was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Hamza.
Samisoni informed the court that the High Court will deliver its ruling on this matter next Friday.
Magistrate Sufia Hamza says she will wait for the ruling before accepting any further submissions.
It is alleged that on 23rd September last year, Josua Ravula was found in unlawful possession of 42.295 grams of methamphetamine.
Ginna Choi, Lagomarcino Baules, and Peniasi Delai are alleged to have been found with 0.345 grams of methamphetamine.
Zhou Lan was allegedly found with more than $7,000, while Yu Yangfeng was allegedly found with more than $9,000, believed to be proceeds of crime.
It is also alleged that Baules, on 3rd and 9th September, while visiting Fiji, failed to comply with his visitor visa conditions and overstayed.
The matter has been adjourned to March 9th.
