The lead investigations officer in the 4.15-tonne drug bust in Nadi last year told the Lautoka High Court today that they had trust issues with the Narcotics Unit of the Fiji Police Force.

Inspector Simione Ravouvou says that despite this, investigations were thoroughly conducted.

He confirmed that the Narcotics Unit was not trusted to be part of the investigation.

Ravouvou stated that the Criminal Investigations Department in Suva, with the help of police officers from the Namaka, Nadi, and Lautoka Police Stations, conducted the operation.

He told the court that the Narcotics Unit was not heavily involved in the operation.

It was also revealed in court that the first accused person, Justin Ho, told police during the investigation that he was threatened by a key player in the drug trade.

During cross-examination, Inspector Ravouvou told the court that he first heard of this man during the operation.

He confirmed that a team was sent at the time to locate the individual, but they were unsuccessful as he was in hiding.

Ravouvou also confirmed in court that police are aware of foreign mafias, including the Australian mafia, being involved in similar drug trades.

During re-examination, Ravouvou agreed that police had conducted proper investigations on the key player, however, no drugs were ever found on him during the course of the operation.

It was also confirmed in court that the DPP took the man’s statement last week.