Suva hotel boss denies drug link
Yue Lai owner Fugang Zhao says business unfairly dragged into methamphetamine investigation; pledges full cooperation with police.
Monday 27 October 2025 | 22:00
Yue Lai Hotel owner Fugang Zhao at his hotel in Suva on October 27, 2025.
Photo: Talei Roko
The owner of one of Suva’s known hotels has broken his silence following reports linking his business to an alleged drug ring.
Yue Lai Hotel owner Fugang Zhao said he had “nothing to hide” after police arrested a Chinese national and a Fijian man for alleged possession of methamphetamine while booked at the hotel earlier this month.
Mr Zhao dismissed claims of his involvement as false and damaging, saying he was not associated with the two suspects and did not own the properties raided along Rewa Street, Suva. He said he had opened his hotel and office to investigators and was ready to cooperate fully with the police.
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I have nothing to hide. You want to come and see it? I say come check everything. My office door, my gate—they are open.
Yue Lai Hotel owner, Fugang Zhao
He said he was shocked to see his name linked to the recent drug bust and described the experience as distressing.
“Sometimes I cry. I am angry. I see the news, and somebody calls me saying, ‘Hey, you are the man’. I don’t understand why my name is involved. I ask the Police, even the Australian Police, to check everything—nothing,” he told the Fiji Sun in an interview.
Mr Zhao said he was not connected to the two suspects or any of the properties searched by police, and that people should stop speculating without evidence.
His lawyer, Nikheel Nambiar, said reports linking the hotel to the drug bust were misleading and false.
“Mr Zhao has never been involved in any illegal activities. When you make allegations of such magnitude, you need evidence,” he said.
Yue Lai Hotel in Suva.
Photo: Asenaca Ratu
Mr Zhao also rejected claims of political ties, saying his restaurant and hotel were open to everyone.
“I can’t stop anyone from coming to my hotel. Sometimes I don’t even know who the minister is. I don’t know anybody,” he said.
He added that since the reports emerged, local bookings had dropped sharply to just two per week.
“Concrete evidence is needed if people want to keep speculating. You know Chinese, when they do business, they want everything clear. Don’t want any problem,” he said.
Mr Zhao said he remained willing to cooperate fully with police to clear his name and protect the reputation of his business.
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