Five individuals have been charged with conspiracy to import illegal drugs and have been remanded by the Ba Magistrates Court. The accused—Jonathan Hill, Ponipate Mateyawa, John Taotala, Iliesa Cokanasiga, and Merewalesi Qolimaiwaqa—appeared in court this afternoon for the ongoing proceedings.
The charges assert that between November 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, the individuals conspired both with one another and with others to unlawfully import, transport, transfer, and store a substantial quantity of illegal drugs amounting to 2,644 kilograms within Fiji.
Cokanasiga, a foreign national, faces an additional charge concerning two counts related to the possession of suspected proceeds from criminal activity, having been found in possession of $6,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. Meanwhile, both Qolimaiwaqa and Taotala are charged with possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime. These items include a Jet Land gasoline AVR generator valued at $600, a Wotect raincoat worth $26.25, an extension wire priced at $12.50, and approximately 102 liters of fuel valued at $266.02. Likewise, Hill faces similar charges after allegedly being found with $1,000 in his possession.
The case has been transferred to the Lautoka High Court and is set to continue on the fifth of next month. The Fiji Police Force has stated that investigations are ongoing, indicating the possibility of additional arrests as they pursue further leads related to this significant case.
This situation highlights the authorities’ commitment to combatting drug-related crimes and maintaining public safety, emphasizing the importance of upholding the law in Fiji. The continuation of the legal proceedings illustrates a proactive approach by law enforcement to address criminal activities effectively.