A 40-year-old General Manager from Tamavua, Shonal Sharma, has been further remanded in custody following his initial appearance in the Suva Magistrate’s Court after being charged with the unlawful importation of illicit drugs. This charge stems from the interception of a suspicious shipment that was reportedly sent from Brazil, which arrived in Fiji on October 25, 2025.
The package in question was declared as a “smoke machine” and raised red flags during inspection, where it was identified by a drug detector dog. Upon opening, officials uncovered a motherboard encased in a black cover, which concealed approximately 640 grams of a white powdered substance later confirmed to be cocaine.
On October 30, a police operation led to Sharma’s arrest at his company’s premises, where he was found in possession of the illicit package. He is being represented by Senior Lawyer Feizal Haniff from Haniff Tuitoga, and his case has been adjourned until November 4 for bail consideration.
This operation is part of a broader effort by Fiji’s law enforcement agencies, including the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, to combat the rising trend of drug trafficking. Recently, there have been several high-profile arrests, including those involving individuals connected to organized crime and law enforcement, as authorities intensify their crackdown on drug activities.
The proactive measures taken by the Fijian authorities highlight their commitment to ensuring public safety and dismantling drug trafficking networks. As investigations continue, there is hope that these efforts will significantly contribute to reducing drug-related offenses and fostering a safer community for all residents.
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