A 40-year-old businessman from Lautoka has been re-arrested and charged for allegedly facilitating the export of over 39 kilograms of cocaine to Australia back in 2019. Initially charged alongside a foreign national, the case was halted when the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions filed a nolle prosequi.
The allegations indicate that in October 2019, the businessman orchestrated the transfer of the illicit drugs from the other suspect to Denarau. From there, the drugs were passed to another foreign national, who was subsequently apprehended in Australia.
The initial arrests and charges stemmed from a multi-agency operation conducted in 2019. Investigations have since been taken over by the Criminal Investigations Department in conjunction with the Serious Organized Crime and Intelligence Department. Recently, with the collaboration of the DPP’s Organized Crime Unit, the Lautoka man was re-arrested on December 20, 2025, facing one count of unlawful possession and supply of an illicit drug and another count for the unlawful exportation of an illicit drug.
He is scheduled to appear in the Nadi Magistrates Court on December 22, 2025. Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa has emphasized the police’s ongoing commitment to disrupting the drug trade and ensuring that both local and international offenders are held accountable. Efforts are also underway, with assistance from INTERPOL, to locate the second suspect involved in this case.
This situation underscores the relentless efforts of law enforcement to tackle drug-related crimes and protect communities from the impact of illicit substances. The case serves as a reminder of the challenges in combating organized crime and the importance of international cooperation in addressing such issues.
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