Nadi Man Charged with Cocaine Import, Colombian Cartel Linked to $3 Billion Drug Bust

A businessman from Nadi has been charged by the Fiji Police Force for the alleged importation of more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine. The charges stem from a major drug seizure in Vatia waters on 15 January 2026, following an investigation and consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Fiji Police Force confirmed that the legal action follows an operation that intercepted a massive shipment of narcotics earlier this year. The accused man is now facing multiple counts related to the movement and possession of the illicit substances, as well as the assets allegedly acquired through these activities.

What charges does the Nadi businessman face?

The accused faces three specific criminal charges according to reporting from FBC News. These include one count of Unlawful Importation of Illicit Drugs, one count of Unlawful Possession of Illicit Drugs, and one count of Possession of Properties Suspected of Being Proceeds of Crime.

Police allege that the businessman, along with other unidentified individuals, facilitated the unlawful entry of the drugs into Fiji. The investigation focuses on a window of activity spanning from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026.

The decision to lay these charges was made after the Fiji Police Force conducted consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This process ensured that the evidence gathered from the Vatia seizure supported the specific counts of importation and possession.

How much cocaine was intercepted in the Vatia operation?

The seizure in Vatia waters is one of the largest in the region’s history. According to the Fiji Police Force, the operation on 15 January 2026 led to the interception of 2,630 parcels of cocaine.

While the police listed the number of parcels, both FBC News and The Fiji Times reported the total weight of the seizure as more than 2.6 tonnes. The scale of the haul represents a significant disruption to drug trafficking routes passing through Fijian waters.

The Fiji Police Force’s public statement emphasized the importance of the operation in curbing the flow of illicit drugs into the country. The subsequent charges against the Nadi businessman suggest that authorities have moved from the interception phase to identifying the logistical facilitators of the shipment.