Apenisa Waqairadovu 
Lautoka High Court judge Justice Aruna Aluthge dismissed drug convict Justin Ho’s application for an arrest of judgment before handing down his sentence yesterday.
Ho had asked the court to halt his sentencing, arguing that certain evidence should not have been admitted. He claimed this evidence could have caused a miscarriage of justice.
Justice Aluthge rejected the application, stating he was not in a position to hear it and suggested it could instead be filed in the Civil High Court. The judge also noted that Ho had made multiple attempts to delay the trial.
Ho, along with co-accused David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Jale Aukerea, Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe, and Vilimae Colawaliku, were charged with the importation and possession of over 4.1 tonnes of methamphetamine between November 2023 and January 2024 in Nadi.
Additionally, Ho, Louie Logaivau, and Jale Aukerea were charged with possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime. All were found guilty of their respective charges last month.
Yesterday, Justice Aluthge sentenced Justin Ho to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 30 years. The other eight co-accused also received substantial prison terms for their involvement in the case.
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