A bench warrant has been issued against a prominent Suva lawyer facing charges of one count of in possession of illicit drugs.

Shazran Abdul Lateef failed to appear in the Suva Magistrates court when his case was called this morning.

Lateef’s lawyer and his two sureties weren’t also present in court.

A notice has also been issued to his sureties to appear in the next court sitting.

Lateef was arrested last month following a drug raid at a hotel in Suva.

He’s alleged to have been in possession of methamphetamine.

The raid was carried out by police officers after a tip off from a member of the public.

The matter has been adjourned to November 2nd.