RFMF Trio Released, Drugs Claim Clear
“Suspicions were raised about perfume-making kits that members of the group were allegedly carrying and “which included bottles with liquid cocaine.”
Tuesday 04 July 2023 | 18:50
The three Fijian soldiers who were detained by Israeli authorities for allegations of drug smuggling have been released.
This was confirmed by the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander, Major-General Ro Jone Kalouniwai, last night.
The Times of Israel reported that the three soldiers, serving with the United Nations Dis-engagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights, were detained on June 25 at Israel’s border with Jordan.
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Israel’s Tax Authority and police said they were stopped during a routine inspection at the Jordan River Crossing, also known as Sheikh Hussein Bridge.
“Suspicions were raised about perfume-making kits that members of the group were allegedly carrying and “which included bottles with liquid cocaine.”
Israel Police examine UN employees kits wrongly suspected of containing liquid cocaine, that were allegedly part of an attempt to smuggle drugs into Israel from Jordan on June 25, 2023. Photo: Israel Police
The kits, which contained multiple bottles with liquids, prompted a police sniffing dog to react in a way that substantiated the suspicions, according to a joint statement from police and the Tax Authority.
Major-General Kalouniwai confirmed the trio were back at camp.
“We will continue our enquiry. Our investigation aims to review the process and procedures followed; to determine if they had adhered to proper protocols,” he said.
The soldiers were released last Friday (Saturday morning in Fiji) from custody.
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