Convicted businessman and former sports leader Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa has returned to Fiji, but his legal challenges are ongoing. After serving a reduced prison sentence in New Zealand for drug importation, Musa is now under investigation by Fijian authorities for serious offenses.
Musa was sentenced to four years in prison in August 2023 for smuggling $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine from Fiji to New Zealand. This substance, which is a critical component in the manufacture of methamphetamine, was linked to the businessman, who operated over ten pharmacies throughout the Pacific region. Following an appeal, his sentence was reduced by six months, and he arrived back in Fiji last Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that investigations are still underway, focusing on organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and fund misappropriation. The inquiry is being led by the Criminal Investigations Department and the Serious Organised Crime Unit, in collaboration with the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit.
“There are still active investigations into these matters, and we are pursuing them with due diligence,” Waqa stated.
Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua emphasized the Government’s strong position against crime, insisting that “no one is above the law.” He acknowledged Musa’s return but refrained from sharing further information due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
“We remain resolute in our fight against narcotics and organized crime,” Tikoduadua remarked. “Law enforcement will ensure due process is followed in every investigation to protect our communities from the dangers posed by illegal activities.”
Musa, who previously served as vice-president of the Fiji Football Association, was a well-known businessman involved in various sectors, including pharmacies, restaurants, and real estate. His arrest and subsequent conviction shocked many in Fiji, damaging the reputation of someone who was once revered in both the sports and pharmaceutical fields.