Drug accused six remanded over meth charges

Six men facing methamphetamine-related charges have been remanded in custody until 4pm today.

They appeared before Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva at the Nadi Magistrate Court, where the court advised that they may be released on bail if their sureties satisfy the required conditions.

The accused include Nigerian national Chukwemeka Phabian; Counter Narcotics Bureau police officers Apenisa Matadigo, Viliame Nalagi, and Uraia Bolalailai; Fiji Airways driver Neumi Donumainasava; and Osea Raicama Dakai, head of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services (FRCS) Intelligence Unit.

All six have been charged with two counts of Unlawful Importation of Illicit Drugs, contrary to Section 5(b) of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004. The charges relate to two separate consignments of methamphetamine, weighing over 3 kilograms, allegedly imported between March and July 2025.

Dakai faces two additional counts of Breach of Secrecy, under Section 52(4) of the Fiji Inland Revenue and Customs Services Act 1998.

The formal charges were filed following consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case has been adjourned to November 25 for mention.