Musa Still Under Watch

Convicted businessman and former sports leader Umarji Aiyaz Mohammed Musa is back in Fiji, but his legal troubles are far from over.

Despite completing a reduced prison sentence in New Zealand for importing drugs, Musa remains under active investigation by Fijian authorities for serious offences.

Musa, a prominent figure in both the sporting and business sectors, was sentenced to four years in prison in August 2023 after smuggling $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine from Fiji to New Zealand.

The compound, a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, was traced to Musa, who managed over ten pharmacies across the Pacific.

He received a six-month reduction in his sentence upon appeal and returned to Fiji last Wednesday.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mesake Waqa confirmed investigations were ongoing, focusing on organised crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and the misappropriation of funds.

He revealed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Serious Organised Crime Unit were leading the inquiry, based on reports from the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit.

“There are still active investigations into these matters, and we are pursuing them with due diligence,” ACP Waqa said.

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua stressed the Government’s firm stance on crime, reaffirming that “no one is above the law.”

He acknowledged Musa’s return but withheld further details, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.

“We remain resolute in our fight against narcotics and organised crime,” Mr Tikoduadua said.

“Law enforcement will ensure due process is followed in every investigation to protect our communities from the harm caused by illicit activities.”

Musa, once a vice-president of the Fiji Football Association, was a high-profile businessman with interests spanning pharmacies, restaurants, and real estate.

His arrest and conviction sent shockwaves through Fiji, tarnishing the image of someone once celebrated in the sporting and pharmaceutical industries.

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