The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says it was in the process of making the necessary application for the destruction of drug exhibits in the Joshua Rahman case when the discovery was made that some of the drugs were missing.

The ODPP has also confirmed it has been informed of a recent police finding that the remaining drug exhibits from the case had allegedly been tampered with.

In a statement, the ODPP described both developments as serious and said investigations into the missing and potentially tampered exhibits are ongoing.

It stressed that the destruction of drug exhibits is subject to the appropriate legal process.

According to the ODPP, proceedings in the Joshua Rahman matter, particularly the retrial and appeal processes, had remained ongoing, meaning the drug exhibits continued to be required as evidence.

Following the conclusion of those proceedings, the ODPP said it was in the process of making the necessary application for the destruction of the drugs when the missing exhibits were discovered.

The ODPP said it could not comment on the priorities or processes of the office prior to 2023.

However, it said that since the establishment of its Anti-Narcotics Division in 2024, it has been prioritising applications for the destruction of drug exhibits once they are no longer required for evidential purposes and the necessary legal requirements have been met.

The ODPP pointed to the Justin Ho matter, involving more than 4.1 tonnes of drugs, where the necessary application for destruction was made and the drugs have since been destroyed in accordance with the legal process.

It also confirmed that in the Vatia drug matter, it has already informed the Court of its intention to file an application for the destruction of the drug exhibits.

That application is expected to be made on October 15.

The ODPP said it recognises the importance of the proper and timely management of drug exhibits, particularly because of the risks associated with their continued storage.

It says it will continue to prioritise the destruction of drug exhibits where they are no longer required for evidential purposes and all necessary legal requirements have been satisfied.

However, regarding the missing and potentially tampered exhibits in the Rahman matter, the ODPP said it will allow the investigations to take their normal course and will not make any further comments at this stage.