THE State has moved to destroy the 2.6 tonnes of cocaine seized in Vatia, Tavua, earlier this year, with Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku making the application at the High Court in Ba yesterday.

Mr Rabuku requested the court for the drugs to be destroyed before the trial proceedings.

He said any objection from defence lawyers was to be made now with filing of submissions within a 16-day time frame.

Mr Rabuku also told High Court Judge, Justice Samuela Qica that the State planned to proceed with the trial in October but this was refused by Justice Qica, who said the trial would begin proper next year.

Meanwhile, four accused persons have been granted immunity by the State, and released on bail yesterday. They are Iliesa Cokanasiga, Jonathan Hill, Sunia Kobululevu Vakaloloma and Travis Cheer.

They were granted strict bail conditions:

• non-cash bail bond $5000 with two sure ties;
• not to reoffend;
• report every Saturday at the nearest police station from 6am to 6pm;
• not to interfere with prosecution witnesses indirectly or directly;
• attend all case proceedings in this matter;
• surrender of passports if they have them, and they are not to obtain a passport if they do not have any; and
• ordered to stay within their jurisdiction and place of residence.

A strict social media restriction was also given to Sunia Kobululevu Vakaloloma, who was charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

Justice Qica had warned him not to make any social media comment or posting while the case is under investigations.

Australian National Anaseini Rokolati was also granted non-cash bail of $5000 yesterday by the High Court, which the State did not object to.

The prosecution also requested a stop departure order for Ms Rokolati, and that she be prohibited from visiting Manasa Saladrau, who she is alleged to have a defacto relationship with.

Ms Rokolati’s bail conditions are also similar to the other four accused persons.

Meanwhile, charges against the driver, Munendra, who was alleged to have transported the drugs, has been dismissed.

He was granted bail earlier with strict conditions on March 13.

The other accused persons — Ponipate Mateyawa, John Taotala, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Bainivalu Suguturaga, Norman Fisher and Manasa Saladrau — will have their bail hearing date scheduled for next Monday and they have been further remanded at the Lautoka Corrections Facility.

Foreign nationals Alejandro Gonzalez, Luciano Sanchez, Ramon Parraga, and Jonathan Bermello have requested for a lawyer to represent them in the next hearing date on March 30.

The case has been adjourned to March 30.