Thieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour
Fiji police are probing a major cocaine heist after 39 seized drug parcels were stolen from an evidence vault and replaced with flour.
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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