Eight suspects in drug trafficking case filed no complaint with National Court

DEFENSE lawyers representing eight suspects in a drug trafficking case filed an application for dismissal of the case at a national court in Lae on Monday.

This follows the conclusion of the trial by the prosecution, satisfied with all the evidence presented and cross-examined in court.

It was noted during the trial that all evidence has been presented to the court and the prosecution will not request any more evidence to be presented to the court.

The two defense lawyers filed a request to dismiss the case.

The first said the evidence against his clients was insufficient and the court would discharge them from the indictment, while the other defense lawyer will have to advise whether or not to call evidence for his clients.

The Crown confirmed there was a case to answer and the judge would rule on it.

After that, the court will move on to other motions served.
The case was adjourned for today, Wednesday June 12.

Depending on the judge's decision, whether the client has a case to answer.

It was noted during court that the judge could either acquit or say that the accused had a case to answer, and that each of them would proceed to present the defense arguments, whether or not they gave evidence to defend their clients and the accused want to do so. pleadings in their own defense.

Defense attorneys will close the “Motion for Dismissal in Court,” while all counsel will present all evidence presented to the court thus far, including the State's and defense's evidence.

This is when the trial is over and the judge makes his decision and what his verdict will be.

Given the issue at hand in this particular trial, there are usually certain facts that prosecutors claim the defense will or will not admit.

So the issue in the trial is whether or not the eight defendants knew they were dealing in drugs.

It was noted in court that “knowledge was the issue in this trial.”

This is why all Australian documents (evidence) were accepted by the court by consent, as the accused do not dispute that it was methamphetamine.

“They said yes, it was meth, but we didn’t know that.” And that's the argument in court.

The alleged suspects were involved in the transportation of 52 kg of methamphetamine (methamphetamine), in violation of Section 68(1) of the Controlled Substances Act of 2021.

It was alleged that on March 21, 2023, at Seventh Street, KC2 Yard in Lae, the suspects transported 88 plastic bags of methamphetamine weighing 52kg worth KK33 million to Bulolo and airlifted to a black flight to Australia.