Fiji Police have identified six persons of interest following the disappearance of 39 cocaine bars valued at approximately US$14 million from the Suva High Court evidence room. Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu announced the development during a Wednesday news briefing, stating that investigators have recorded statements from 27 individuals to establish who held direct access to the high-profile exhibits.
Investigation Timeline and Missing Evidence
The missing drugs are connected to the 2019 prosecution of Johua Rahman. According to police records, the narcotics initially entered police custody in February 2019 and tested positive for cocaine during tests conducted that February and again on July 26, 2019, at the request of the court.
Authorities transferred the exhibits to the Suva High Court vault in March 2021. The discrepancy came to light during a joint inspection involving senior judiciary officials, a senior official from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the investigating officer, and a crime scene investigation officer ahead of a court-ordered destruction of the drugs.
An official police report was lodged on September 16 at the Totongo Police Station after authorities discovered that seven bars were missing. Police Commissioner Tudravu stated that when investigators subsequently tested the remaining drug parcels, they returned negative results for illicit substances. Investigators are now tracking the timeline of events from the moment the exhibits entered the court system.
Forensic Examination and Financial Inquiries
Fiji Police established a dedicated investigation team at the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters. The unit includes senior personnel from the Major Crime Unit, the Digital Forensic Unit, the Anti-Money Laundering Unit, and the Proceeds of Crime Division.
The digital forensic team is examining available CCTV footage and biometric records to trace access to the vault. A financial investigation is also underway with support from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit. Police confirmed that one person of interest is currently overseas and will be questioned.
“While I understand that the sense of urgency is demanding quicker results, we are doing our best to ensure justice prevails,” Tudravu said during the briefing.
Judicial and Official Response
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka addressed the security breach by urging the public to maintain trust in the judiciary while warning that authorities intend to target rogue elements within the system. “We are going to find them and they are going to face the consequences of their actions,” Rabuka told reporters at Government Buildings in Suva.
In response to public concern, the Fiji Police took over security at Government Buildings. Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a defensive statement clarifying its administrative role in managing drug exhibits.
Investigation Overview
- Total Missing Cocaine: 39 bars with an estimated street value of US$14 million.
- Original Seizure: 2019, linked to the Johua Rahman case.
- Transfer Date: Moved to the Suva High Court vault in March 2021.
- Discovery Date: Official report lodged on September 16, following an inspection by judiciary and police officials.
- Persons of Interest: Six individuals identified, with 27 witness statements recorded by police.
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