Five more charged to appear in court over Vatia drug case

Five people are expected to be produced at the Ba Magistrates Court today in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Vatia drug seizure.

Police said the group includes a 49-year-old foreign national, a 33-year-old unemployed woman, a 40-year-old boat captain, and two self-employed men aged 34 and 39, all from Suva.

Following consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the five have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit the importation of illicit drugs, contrary to Section 49 of the Crimes Act 2009 and Section 8 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004.

It is alleged that between November 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, in and around Fiji, the accused conspired among themselves and with others to unlawfully import, transport, transfer and store 2,644 kilograms of illicit drugs.

In addition, the foreign national has been charged with two counts of possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 70(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997.

The 33-year-old woman and the 34-year-old self-employed man have each also been charged with one count of possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime under the same Act.

Police said investigations were continuing, with officers pursuing further leads arising from the case.