A 40-year-old businessman from Lautoka, Shaneil Suresh Autar, has made an appearance at the Nadi Magistrate’s Court following his recent arrest and re-charging related to the alleged export of over 39 kilograms of cocaine to Australia in 2019.
According to police reports, Autar initially faced charges in 2019 alongside a foreign national, but the prosecution was halted when a nolle prosequi was filed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Currently, Autar’s legal representation comes from Mark Anthony of Millbrook Hills Law Partners, while the prosecution is being led by Senior Legal Officer Joeli Nasa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. The hearing is actively ongoing, with developments expected in the near future.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and highlights the complexities involved in prosecuting such cases.