Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa, a convicted businessman and former sports leader, has returned to Fiji, but his legal challenges continue. After serving a reduced sentence in New Zealand for drug importation, he is now the subject of an active investigation by Fijian authorities regarding serious offenses.
Musa received a four-year prison sentence in August 2023 for smuggling $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine from Fiji to New Zealand, a substance used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. He was linked to the smuggling operation while overseeing more than ten pharmacies across the Pacific. Following an appeal, his sentence was reduced by six months, and he arrived back in Fiji last Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that investigations are ongoing, concentrating on organized crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and fund misappropriation. He noted that the Criminal Investigations Department along with the Serious Organised Crime Unit are leading the investigations based on findings 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.”
Pio Tikoduadua, the Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, emphasized the Government’s commitment to combating crime, asserting that “no one is above the law.” While he recognized Musa’s return to the country, he refrained from sharing additional details due to the sensitivity of the ongoing inquiry.
“We remain resolute in our fight against narcotics and organized crime,” Tikoduadua remarked, asserting that law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring proper procedures are followed to safeguard communities from the adverse effects of illegal activities.
Musa, who previously held the position of vice-president of the Fiji Football Association, was a well-known businessman with ventures in pharmacies, restaurants, and real estate. His arrest and subsequent conviction shocked the nation, damaging the reputation of an individual once admired in both the sporting and pharmaceutical arenas.