Six persons of interest identified in court cocaine case, Fiji Police says
The country's police chief says 27 statements have been taken as investigators track nearly 40kg of missing cocaine bars replaced with flour at the Suva High Court.
Fiji's High Court has lost 52kg of cocaine from its evidence room, with half of it replaced by flour due to faulty security systems. Six suspects are under investigation, with one person currently abroad. Alongside this, 12.9kg of cocaine missing since a 2018 raid on Australian horse trainer John Nikolic's yacht is also unaccounted for.
Nikolic was sentenced to at least 18 years for drug importation. The missing drugs could be worth over $20 million. Fiji Police are conducting a full audit of other exhibits due to concerns over the judiciary's responsibility for the cocaine. Officials confirm the judiciary, not the police, is responsible for the safekeeping of the drugs deposited in the court's exhibit room.
Superintendant Peni Tuivaga also revealed Fiji has become central to Pacific's drug trafficking issues, with recent seizures totaling 2.6 tonnes recently. An Australian investigation unveiled the country's role in drug transportation. Prime Minister Albanese recently announced $600 million for a broader Pacific drug combat initiative.
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- 52kg of cocaine stolen from Fiji evidence room, half replaced with flour abc.net.au
- Thieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour iol.co.za
- Fiji's prosecutions office defends drug disposal protocols after cocaine turns to flour rnz.co.nz
- Thieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour channelnewsasia.com
