Convicted businessman and former sports figure Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa has returned to Fiji, but he is still facing significant legal challenges. After serving a reduced sentence in New Zealand for drug importation, Musa is now under investigation by Fijian authorities for serious crimes.
Musa, who gained prominence in both the sports and business arenas, was sentenced to four years in prison in August 2023 for smuggling $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine, a precursor in methamphetamine production, from Fiji to New Zealand. His operations extended across more than ten pharmacies in the Pacific region.
He received a six-month early release after an appeal and arrived back in Fiji last Wednesday. Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that investigations are still active, targeting organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and fund misappropriation.
The inquiry is being led by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Serious Organised Crime Unit, following reports from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit. ACP Waqa emphasized that these investigations are being pursued rigorously.
Pio Tikoduadua, the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, reiterated the Government’s resolve against crime, stating that “no one is above the law.” While acknowledging Musa’s return, he refrained from disclosing further details due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
Minister Tikoduadua affirmed the commitment to combat narcotics and organized crime, assuring that law enforcement will adhere to due process in all investigations to safeguard communities from the dangers posed by illegal activities.
Musa, who previously held the position of vice-president of the Fiji Football Association, was a notable businessman with investments in pharmacies, restaurants, and real estate. His arrest and conviction shocked Fiji, altering the public perception of a figure once celebrated in the sporting and pharmaceutical sectors.