A businessman from Lautoka, Shaneil Suresh Autar, is facing serious charges for allegedly attempting to export $35 million worth of cocaine to Australia. He appeared in the High Court in Lautoka yesterday before Justice Sekonaia Vodokisolomone, where discussions regarding his bail conditions took place.
During the hearing, Mr. Autar’s attorney, Mark Anthony, requested the court to lift “stop departure” orders against his client’s sureties. He also sought a modification in the bail conditions, proposing that Mr. Autar be required to report to the Lautoka Police Station on the first Monday of each month instead of more frequent check-ins. The judge instructed Mr. Anthony to submit a formal application for these changes and allowed time for the State to respond.
Initially, Mr. Autar faced charges in 2019 along with Dutch citizen Marc Winston Tjin Konnkoen for attempting to transport 39 kilograms of cocaine from Fiji to Australia during October of that year. However, the charges against him were dropped in May 2023 when the State filed a nolle prosequi. He was recharged in December 2025 and subsequently released on bail by the High Court.
The case is set to return to court on March 25.
As this situation unfolds, it highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat drug trafficking in the region, which remains a critical issue.
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