Meth Sealed in Kava Packages Upset Exporters and Vendors

A group of kava exporters have voiced concerns about the use of kava packaging for illicit drugs.

This follows the recent drug bust, mainly methamphetamine, found in 62 kava bags (500 grams packets) in Nadi.

Usaia Tukawa, a kava farmer, vendor, and exporter from Nalawa, strongly called upon individuals engaged in using kava as a means to transport drugs to immediately stop their illegal activities.

He expressed concern over the impact the actions of drug peddlers have on sincere and honest kava exporters and farmers.

Mr Tukawa said there would be an overwhelming supply of kava in the Australian markets, negatively affecting the farmers.

In his view, it is the human aspect that will suffer the most, overshadowing the financial gains of these wrongdoers.

Methamphetamine, found in 62 Kava bags (500 grams packets) in Nadi following a recent drug bust. Photo: Police Media Cell

Samisoni Rakalovo, a Kadavu kava farmer and a vendor at Namaka Market, said the use of the label Kadavu Waka has brought disgrace to the province.

“We didn’t like it. It is a disgrace to the reputation of our Yasana,” he said.

“The use of the kava package will now affect our business. People will be cautious or have a sense of distrust towards the kava products we sell in the market.

“Our kava we are selling here, we are not only promoting it, but we are also promoting where it was produced, which was from our Yasana o Kadavu,” he said.

One of the accused, Jale Aukerea, 42, the operator of Kava Kings, a Votualevu kava Bar, is charged with allegedly concealing over a tonne of methamphetamine at a property in Nadi last month.

He is among 13 people charged with two separate seizures of a total of 4.8 tonnes of methamphetamine.

Corporate registry documents also show he is the part-time owner and director of another company in Sydney by the same name, Kava Kings Pty Ltd, that promotes itself online as ‘Official Australian Government Approved Importers’.

The drug raid at Maqalevu, Nadi, shows packages of ‘Kadavu Waka’ that do not display the Kava Kings brand.

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