High Court moves to seize alleged $400k crime proceeds

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has applied to forfeit properties and assets worth more than $400,000, believed to be proceeds of crime linked to three people allegedly involved in an attempted methamphetamine importation in 2023.

The application, now before the High Court in Suva, concerns the arrest of Imran Khan, Deborah Kim and Rajneel Rohi following the attempted importation of a package containing 1,183 grams of methamphetamine.

The package, concealed in white plastic bottles, was intercepted during a security check on a flight from Los Angeles, United States, by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service at Nadi International Airport on February 3, 2023.

Police later arranged a controlled delivery at DHL Raiwaqa, where the person scheduled to collect the package was arrested.

A search of the suspect’s vehicle allegedly uncovered additional drugs.

Last month, the High Court granted the State’s application for permanent restraint of the following assets:

• $404,840.34 held at Bred Bank
• A three-bedroom concrete house and land at Lot 21 on DP 5225, Valelevu Housing Authority Sub-Lease No. 204059
• Four motor vehicles: BMW sedan (FH 945), Toyota wagon (KNGKHN), Nissan sedan (913) and Toyota sedan (IV 991)

The court ruled that the State had established strong evidence that the respondents’ assets represented unexplained wealth that could not be adequately accounted for through legitimate income.