The State’s civil application to forfeit two Denarau properties linked to the storage of more than 4.2 tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi has been transferred to the High Court in Lautoka.
The case involves State Leases 16827 (Lot 14) and 16829 (Lot 8), adjacent lots bought from Challenge Engineering Ltd and registered on December 22, 2017. The parcels were acquired by Denarau Fitness (registered as Denarau Fitness Pte Ltd), a company 99 per cent owned by Rasha Kurdi — the wife of Australian businessman Sam Amine — with accountant Mherina Amahaizabeen Ali Ahmed holding the remaining 1 per cent.
On June 12, Justice Penijamini Lomaloma found, on the balance of probabilities, that both lots were “tainted” and issued an interim restraining order. The judge concluded that Denarau Fitness had no legitimate source of income from 2017 to 2020 and that the funds used to purchase the properties had no lawful origin. He also found Lot 14 was bought with money from an illegal source and that a warehouse on that lot was used to store over 4.2 tonnes of methamphetamine for several days between December 2023 and January 2024.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is seeking a final court order to forfeit the two lots to the State. Earlier reporting placed the combined land area at roughly 2,450 square metres with an estimated value around $8.8 million. Criminal proceedings connected to the large drug seizure remain before the Lautoka High Court.
At a hearing in Suva on August 8, state lawyer Moira Konrote told Justice Lomaloma she had filed a response to the respondents’ strike-out application. When the judge asked why the civil action was originally lodged in Suva despite the principal criminal proceedings being heard in Lautoka, Ms Konrote said filing in Suva was a standard procedural step but did not object to transferring the forfeiture action back to Lautoka. Justice Lomaloma extended the interim restraining order; the Lautoka registry will set the next date and notify parties by Notice of Appearance.
Commentary and context
– Civil forfeiture proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime framework operate on a lower civil standard of proof (balance of probabilities) than criminal trials, allowing the State to pursue assets believed to be proceeds of or used in crime even while criminal matters proceed separately.
– Transferring the forfeiture matter to Lautoka aligns the civil and criminal processes, which can make evidence handling and scheduling more efficient.
– If the forfeiture is granted, the State aims to remove valuable assets from alleged criminal networks, disrupting financial capacity and deterring future misuse.
Suggested additions for publication
– A short explainer on the Proceeds of Crime Act and how civil forfeiture differs from criminal prosecution.
– A timeline of key dates: property registration (22 Dec 2017), alleged storage period (Dec 2023–Jan 2024), June 12 ruling, August 8 filing, and the forthcoming Lautoka hearing date when set.
– Clarification that the judge’s June 12 findings were civil findings on the balance of probabilities, not criminal convictions.
Short summary
The ODPP’s forfeiture bid against two Denarau lots used to store over 4.2 tonnes of methamphetamine has been moved to the Lautoka High Court. Justice Lomaloma previously found the properties tainted and extended an interim restraining order after concluding the purchaser had no legitimate income and that one lot was bought with illegal funds. The Lautoka registry will set the next hearing date.
Hopeful note
A successful forfeiture would take high-value property out of alleged criminal use and represent a concrete step toward dismantling the financial infrastructure that enables large-scale drug trafficking, strengthening public safety and accountability.
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