Several kilograms of cocaine held as evidence at Fiji’s High Court in Suva have gone missing, with local media reporting that the drugs were substituted with flour.
Police said they launched an investigation after discovering on September 15 that seven of 39 cocaine bars stored in an evidence room had been taken.
Forensic examinations later showed that the remaining exhibits had also been tampered with, according to a police statement issued on Tuesday. Authorities said they intended to question a person of interest who was reportedly outside Fiji.
Investigators said they were focusing on people responsible for handling and securing the exhibits at the High Court registry.
Local outlet Fiji Village reported that the remaining 32 cocaine bars had been filled with flour after the original drugs were removed.
Justice Minister Siromi Turaga condemned the incident, warning that those responsible would face legal consequences.
“It’s shocking … no one will be spared,” Turaga told Fiji One, adding that the incident was not the first of its kind. Authorities have not yet revealed the penalties those involved could face.
Media reports said the cocaine was confiscated from Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman in 2019. The drugs were later stored at the court as evidence while he challenged his 2021 conviction and sentence.
Fiji police have previously raised concerns over an increase in cases involving illegal drugs, including cocaine and methamphetamine, since 2018.
The United Nations reported in 2024 that Fiji had emerged as a regional transit point for drug trafficking across the Pacific.
The UN also said drug-related arrests, mostly involving methamphetamine, rose more than threefold in 2023.
Goodness Anunobi
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