In the ongoing trial linked to one of Fiji’s largest drug seizures, the State called two key witnesses to the stand: David Andrew Wright, owner of Vuda Marina Coastal Barging Services, and boat captain Ratu Isoa Dina. Their testimony centers on the 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine allegedly trafficked into the country between November 2023 and January 2024.
The trial, heard by Justice Aruna Aluthge, involves defendants Justin Ho, David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Sakiusa Tuva, Jale Aukerea, Ratu Osea Levula, and Keanie McPherson. Several are also accused of possessing property believed to be proceeds of crime.
Wright, who moved to Fiji in December 2017 to start a barge business, testified that he declined a request from Heritage to dry hire his barge, meaning to rent it without crew. However, in late December, Wright received a call from Heritage to charter the barge for delivering food and fuel to a superyacht before sunrise.
According to Wright, the first charter departed on December 21, 2023. Heritage paid $20,000 in cash just before midnight, though the barge returned the next morning with diesel and bags still onboard. A second payment of $3000 followed after Heritage initially gave incorrect coordinates. A third payment was made shortly afterward for a trip supposedly to remove rubbish.
Wright confirmed these trips took place on December 21, 22, and 23.
Captain Ratu Isoa Dina, a long-serving employee of Wright’s company, recalled that Heritage contacted him on December 20, asking him to prepare for an early trip to Yaqeta. By midnight on December 21, Dina, Heritage, and three others had departed Vuda Marina. Though they reached their destination by dawn, no rendezvous boat appeared. A check of coordinates revealed they were actually 80 miles from Viwa Island—the real intended drop location. Without enough fuel to continue, they returned to the marina.
The next day, another trip was arranged. They left at 2 p.m. and again waited for a vessel that never came. By nightfall, they anchored at Musket Cove Resort before returning to Vuda the following morning.
Dina testified that on the third trip, Heritage didn’t accompany them. Instead, a Russian man boarded and provided coordinates to outer seas near Waya Island. There, a yacht eventually appeared, and sealed containers were transferred onto the barge over a two-hour period. Dina described the yacht passengers as two Europeans and one Hispanic-looking man.
Fuel was loaded before the barge departed for Fantasy Island, where Heritage met them. He collected the Russian and returned in a hired truck to offload the containers. Dina said Heritage gave him $1000 and promised another $1000 upon full delivery.
Dina added that Heritage reassured him not to worry because he had connections in the police, army, and navy. Heritage’s lawyer, Lilianna Volau, challenged this claim in court, but Dina remained firm.
Four additional witnesses are expected to be cross-examined as the trial continues.
5 June 2025
