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Taxi driver charged with multiple offences, including bribery

December 6, 2018 12:53 pm

Taxi driver charged with multiple offences, including bribery

A 34-year old taxi driver of Valelevu was produced at the Navua Magistrates Court yesterday.

The driver faced multiple criminal and traffic charges including a charge for allegedly bribing a police officer with $4,000.

The accused was arrested on Sunday night by a task force after information was received of his alleged involvement in drugs.

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Police Spokesperson Ana Naisoro says information was received that he was travelling towards Suva allegedly transporting drugs whereby the team had set up a road block at Wainadoi.

After 6pm the accused was sighted approaching the road block whereby he allegedly refused to stop and drove right through nearly hitting two police officers who were manning the site.

The taskforce team gave chase in a vehicle up to Namuka-i-lau where the accused made a U-turn and headed towards Naboro where he was eventually stopped and arrested.

Upon his arrest the accused is alleged to have offered the arresting officer $4,000 to let him go.

He was escorted to the Navua Police Station where he was charged with bribery of public officials, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of illicit drugs as he was found with zero point 44 grams of methamphetamine.

He also faces charges for dangerous driving, failure to obey road markings, contravention of the 3rd party policy, failed to produce driving license and driving motor vehicle without a valid driving license.

The accused was produced at the Navua Magistrates Court yesterday and will reappear today to provide two sureties.