The Suva Magistrates Court has remanded 40-year-old General Manager Shonal Sharma until tomorrow morning as it considers the severity of the charges against him related to the importation of illicit drugs. Sharma was charged after a consignment, declared as “Smoke Machine,” arrived from Brazil on October 27, 2025, containing a white powdered substance weighing 640 grams.
During the court proceedings, police prosecution confirmed that they have provided full disclosures to Sharma’s defense counsel and did not object to the bail application; however, they requested strict bail conditions should bail be granted. The defense proposed to adhere to rigorous stipulations, including a cash bail of $5,000, two sureties, the surrender of travel documents, and daily check-ins at the nearest police station.
Magistrate Sufia Hamza opted to keep Sharma in custody as the court prepares for the bail hearing, which is set for tomorrow. This case follows a larger pattern of law enforcement efforts in Fiji, focusing on cracking down on illicit drug trafficking, which has escalated in recent years. Authorities have intensified their operations against drug-related crimes, including several high-profile arrests that reflect their commitment to public safety and the dismantling of drug networks.
As the legal proceedings unfold, there remains hope that enhanced policing efforts and judicial processes will contribute positively to the fight against drug trafficking and foster a safer community in Fiji.