The Magistrates’ Court has scheduled the trial for two individuals charged with attempting to export prohibited drugs for February 17–21, 2025.

During a mention hearing on Monday this week, the counsels handling the case informed the court of their unavailability for February and proposed rescheduling the trial to either April or May. However, the court directed that the trial proceed as scheduled in February.

The court also advised the counsels currently on record that if they are unavailable on the trial dates, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the defendants are represented by other legal counsel.

The matter has been adjourned to February 3, 2025, for an interim mention, during which the court will also review the warrant of arrest issued for co-accused Etekia Kauai.

Etekia Kauai and Beatrice Umea are jointly charged with one count of attempting to export a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The incident allegedly occurred on June 19, 2019, at Henderson International Airport. The accused are alleged to have packed eight packets of marijuana inside a speaker, with each packet sealed in a 20 cm by 20 cm plastic bag.

It is further alleged that Kauai brought the package to Umea, who was on check-in duty for Solomon Airlines. Umea allegedly accepted the package as unaccompanied luggage and tagged it to a passenger she had already checked in.

When the package went through screening, suspicions arose. Upon inspection, the speaker was unscrewed, and the packets of marijuana were discovered before the package could be loaded onto the flight.

Steward Tonowane represents the Crown, while Jennifer Happilyn acts for Umea.