Lawyer, Shazran Abdul Lateef

Lawyer, Shazran Abdul Lateef who is already facing drug-related charges has been granted bail for a new offence, by the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Lateef is charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

At the time of his arrest, he was on bail for allegedly being in possession of methamphetamine.

It is alleged that in the latest incident, the lawyer was found in possession of 1.2 grams of marijuana on Saturday in Raiwaqa, Suva.

Police prosecution said there was no admission in Lateef’s caution interview.

The prosecution objected to bail on the ground that Lateef has a similar case pending before the courts where he was granted bail and has reoffended, which likely to happen again if he is released on bail.

Defence counsel, Filimoni Vosarogo said the previous bail conditions of the pending matter did not state for Lateef not to re-offend as a condition.

Vosarogo also brought to light that the latest amount found does not hold for a custodial sentence.

The defence added that there was a third party who admitted to Police that the drugs found did not belong to Lateef but to himself.

The Magistrate said that the court acknowledges that Lateef’s charge is only an allegation and granted bail.

Lateef has been bailed on bail bond of $5,000 by two sureties each including a personal bail bond of $5,000.

The accused is to present himself at the Raiwaqa Police station every Saturday with a stop departure issued.

The matter will be recalled on September 4th.