Jale Aukerea, one of the accused persons in the Nadi massive drug case told the Lautoka High Court this afternoon that he lied to police during his caution interview.

Aukerea claims that what he had told police earlier was what Justin Ho had told him to say to the police.

While referring to Ho, Aukerea also told the court that he wished he never listened to a con man.

Aukerea claimedthe threat allegations he had previously told police about were made up by Justin Ho.

During cross-examination by State Counsel Joeli Nasa, Aukerea confirmed that he had earlier told police that he was in charge of the whole operation.

He added that this was what Ho had told him when they met in Savusavu.

Aukerea also confirmed traveling on a boat with Ho and Louie Logaivau to Taveuni, but said they stopped over at Cobia Island, to camp out.

When it was put to him that this was an escape route he, Ho, and Logaivau were taking, Aukerea disagreed.

He said he was in Savusavu with his family at the time and intended to travel to Taveuni to buy kava for his business.

Aukerea also told the court that he was running three businesses in Votualevu. a kava bar, a restaurant, and a shop.

When asked why he is changing his testimony now, Aukerea says he has sworn on the Holy Bible and he really wants to tell the truth.

When it was also put to him that whatever he had told police earlier was the truth, he says it was not.
The case continues at the Lautoka High Court.