Court denies bail in K200 million cocaine case

THE Supreme Court in Waigani has denied the bail application of a man charged with trafficking in 611kg of cocaine worth about K200 million on July 26.
A three-man bench comprising Justice Allen David, Justice Daniel Liosi and Justice Sinclair Gora refused Dominic Terupo’s bail application on grounds that it had no merit and was against the interest of justice.
Terupo is one of three men charged with cocaine trafficking in Papa Lealea village.
Terupo appealed for bail on the grounds that he needed medical treatment for a dislocated shoulder, there is no evidence that he would interfere with any witnesses, and that the cocaine has been shipped to Australia and was now within the possession and jurisdiction of the Australian police.
The bench however agreed with the prosecutor’s submission that there was no evidence that Terupo’s medical condition was seriously deteriorating.
The bench also held that due to the nature and gravity of the offence that Terupo and his co-accused are charged with, the circumstances surrounding the commission of the alleged offence and the penalty it entails, are reasonable grounds to refuse bail under the bail act.
On the final ground, the bench held that there was no evidence led by Terupo as to whether the cocaine had been undertaken, and if so, what action the Australian police would take in relation to the cocaine.
Terupo remains remanded in Bomana prison awaiting completion of committal proceedings.