Drug bust case adjourned

THE court case of three nationals allegedly involved in the K160 million drug bust in Papa Lealea, outside Port Moresby, has been adjourned to the (court) registry for a new magistrate to take over.
Waigani grade five Court Magistrate Dessie Kaputin Magaru on Friday had the cases of Morgan Mogu, Dominic Telauki Terupo and Shane Dikana adjourned to tomorrow before a new magistrate.
“Before we proceed, all these cases are all connected so I have decided that I will transfer some of these to another magistrate before we proceed with the plea,” Magistrate Magaru said.
She said she would only preside over the case of Italian Carlos D’Attanasio.
Australian pilot David John Cutmore also had his case sent to the registry for a new magistrate to preside over in which Magaru adjourned to the same date as the three nationals.
D’Attanasio’s case returns today before Magistrate Magaru.
Lawyer Wynn Thomas representing Terupo and Mogu said both men had been in court for close to two months and that it was only fair and just that they be given a fair hearing sooner rather than later.
Thomas requested for an adjournment between Monday and Tuesday so that the court could deal with preliminary matters like plea.
Magistrate Maguru then listed tomorrow as the return date where new charges would also be laid.