Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa, a convicted businessman and former sports leader, has returned to Fiji amid ongoing legal challenges. After serving a reduced sentence in New Zealand for drug importation, Musa is now under investigation by Fijian authorities for serious crimes.
In August 2023, Musa was sentenced to four years in prison for smuggling $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine, a precursor for methamphetamine, from Fiji to New Zealand. He had been linked to the case while managing more than ten pharmacies across the Pacific. After successfully appealing for a six-month sentence reduction, he returned to Fiji last Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that investigations are continuing, focusing on organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and misappropriation of funds. The Criminal Investigations Department and Serious Organised Crime Unit are leading these inquiries, prompted by reports from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit.
ACP Waqa stated, “There are still active investigations into these matters, and we are pursuing them with due diligence.” Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua emphasized the Government’s rigorous stance against crime, asserting 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 ongoing investigation.
Tikoduadua reiterated the commitment to combat narcotics and organized crime, assuring that law enforcement will follow due process in all investigations to safeguard communities from the dangers posed by illicit activities.
Musa, who previously served as vice-president of the Fiji Football Association, was a prominent businessman with interests in pharmacies, restaurants, and real estate. His arrest and subsequent conviction have significantly affected his reputation, casting a shadow over his prior achievements in the sporting and pharmaceutical sectors.