Fiji authorities investigate theft of 52kg of cocaine from High Court

Fiji authorities are investigating the disappearance of 52.4 kilograms of cocaine from the Suva High Court’s exhibit room. Investigators discovered that much of the evidence held for major drug prosecutions had been replaced with flour.

The theft involves two separate criminal cases. In the case of Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman, seven cocaine bars were found missing, and subsequent testing of the remaining 32 bars showed they contained flour rather than cocaine. Additionally, 12.9 kilograms of cocaine linked to the prosecution of former Australian horse trainer John Nikolic were confirmed missing from the same room.

Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu stated that six persons of interest connected to the judiciary have been identified, including one individual overseas, and statements have been recorded from 27 people. The investigation also revealed significant security failures at the courthouse, including non-operational CCTV and biometric access equipment.

In response, police are centralizing seized drugs at facilities with secure vaults in Nadi, Lautoka, and Totogo. Justice Minister Siromi Turaga has initiated a review covering storage, access controls, and record-keeping.