Major court case begins in Fiji: 4.15 tonnes of meth seized amid rising Pacific drug concerns

A trial has started in Fiji concerning the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine, a powerful illegal drug.

Witnesses were called this week to share what they know about the case. They include David Andrew Wright, who owns a barge service, and Ratu Isoa Dina, the captain of one of the boats involved.

The case also involves eight other people: Justin Ho, David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Sakiusa Tuva, Jale Aukerea, Ratu Osea Levula, and Keanie McPherson. They are accused of importing and possessing large quantities of methamphetamine from late 2023 to early 2024 in an area called Legalega in Nadi.

Ho, Logaivau, and Aukerea are facing additional charges for possessing items they believe were obtained through illegal activities.

The trial is taking place amid warnings from criminal experts about the rising drug-related issues across the Pacific.

Jose Sousa-Santos, an Associate Professor at Canterbury University's Pacific Regional Security Hub, says the recent meth bust in Fiji shows the rise of new criminal groups in the region.

More than four tonnes of methamphetamine was seized by Fiji police in Nadi in 2024. Photo/Fiji Police

The operation led to multiple arrests, including two police officers and the head of Fiji's Revenue and Customs Services' Intelligence Unit, all accused of being involved in the illegal importation of drugs from Nigeria.

In the Nadi court, Justice Aruna Aluthge presided over the proceedings, while John Rabuku and Joeli Naivalu represented the State.

Wright testified that he moved to Fiji in late 2017 to establish his barge business. He explained that Heritage had initially asked to hire his barge but was turned down.

Later, Heritage wanted to use the barge to deliver food and fuel to a superyacht in the Yasawa Islands, insisting that the delivery must be finished by sunrise.

The first trip took place on 21 December 2023, with Wright getting paid $20,000 in cash just before midnight. The barge returned the next morning with fuel and bags still onboard. Heritage made a second payment of $3000 for another trip to dispose of rubbish, with three visits happening between 21 and 23 December.

Ratu Isoa recounted a call from Heritage about a job on 20 December, asking him to go to Yaqeta. He noted that diesel and bags were already on the barge when he boarded, and they left shortly after midnight on 21 December. After reaching their destination, they waited for another boat, which never arrived.

Ratu Isoa later received another call from Heritage about a new trip involving a Russian national. They followed new coordinates, which led them back to an earlier destination. When they arrived, the Russians arranged for a yacht to come, and soon they noticed they were loading sealed containers onto the barge.

Ratu Isoa admitted feeling scared, suspecting these containers might be drugs. They also loaded fuel barrels and headed to another spot where Heritage was waiting to collect the Russian national. The trial is ongoing, revealing more about this significant drug operation.

In another related incident, a Fijian man caught with meth while trying to enter Sāmoa has been sentenced to six months in jail.

Rupeni Luvu, 55, was found with 0.59 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia upon arriving at a terminal for his flight to New Zealand.

Sāmoan Customs officers became suspicious when they spotted something in his luggage resembling a glass pipe, leading to the discovery of the drugs.