Boat owner to turn State witness in major drug case

The boat owner who allegedly collected part of a 2,644-kilogram illicit drug shipment is set to become a State prosecution witness in one of Fiji’s major drug cases.

Anand Bobby Kumar was granted bail by the High Court in Ba today as the State moves to formalise arrangements to discontinue the charges against him.

Kumar is among 12 people accused of conspiring to import illicit drugs into Fiji. Some of the accused also face additional charges relating to possession of proceeds of crime.

The State is working to formalise a nolle prosequi for Kumar before Friday. This would discontinue the prosecution against him and allow him to cooperate with the State as a witness.

Kumar, who allegedly collected the drugs in his boat, is expected to explain his involvement and actions in his testimony.

The State told the court that granting him bail was a step towards facilitating his cooperation and testimony.

His bail conditions are expected to be lifted once the nolle prosequi is formalised and the charges against him are discontinued.

The alleged offending took place between November 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026. During that period, the accused allegedly conspired among themselves and with others in and around Fiji to unlawfully import, transport, transfer and store approximately 2,644 kilograms of illicit drugs.

The other accused are Ponipate Mateyawa, John Toatala, Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa, Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez, Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, Bainivalu Sauturaga, Norman Fisher, Manasa Saladrau and Anaseini Rokolati.

Kumar was represented by Wasu Pillay of Gordon & Co. The State was represented by prosecutor John Rabuku.