Fiji Officials React to High Court Cocaine Theft
- Parliament was told that a telephone call originating from Fiji’s Maximum Prison preceded an incident involving the theft of cash and drugs from the Lautoka registry, according to...
- In response to the security breaches, Mr Turaga convened meetings involving the Chief Registrar, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police, and the permanent secretary...
- Fiji Police confirmed that the closed-circuit television cameras covering the evidence room were non-operational and the biometric security system was faulty at the time the cocaine disappeared.
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Maximum Prison Call Precedes Lautoka Registry Theft
Parliament was told that a telephone call originating from Fiji’s Maximum Prison preceded an incident involving the theft of cash and drugs from the Lautoka registry, according to the article. Acting Attorney-General and Justice Minister Siromi Turaga revealed the Lautoka theft during parliamentary questions regarding court evidence security. Mr Turaga warned that evidence security concerns extend well beyond the Suva cocaine substitution case, stating that the Lautoka incident demonstrated the broader scale of vulnerabilities facing the national justice system.
In response to the security breaches, Mr Turaga convened meetings involving the Chief Registrar, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commissioner of Police, and the permanent secretary for Justice. Following these discussions, the Chief Registrar conducted an assessment of exhibit storage, registers, records, movement and release procedures, chain-of-custody controls, CCTV coverage, and physical security. Police also strengthened storage protocols by consolidating drug exhibits at specific secure locations rather than leaving them at individual police stations. However, Mr Turaga stopped short of confirming whether every exhibit held across courts and police stations nationwide would undergo a full audit.
Faulty Security Systems Hide Cocaine Theft
Fiji Police confirmed that the closed-circuit television cameras covering the evidence room were non-operational and the biometric security system was faulty at the time the cocaine disappeared. Seven out of thirty-nine seized cocaine bars were initially found missing earlier in the month, leading to a broader forensic review. Subsequent forensic testing on the remaining exhibits returned negative results, confirming that all 39 bars had been tampered with and substituted with flour.
Police investigators are focusing their inquiry on individuals directly charged with managing exhibits at the High Court Registry. Authorities confirmed that six people of interest are under investigation, and one individual allegedly involved has left the country and will be questioned upon return. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka described those responsible as rogue elements, while Opposition MP Jone Usamate called the replacement a sad indictment on court security standards.
Potential Complications for Criminal Prosecution
The disappearance of the physical evidence could complicate future legal proceedings for which the narcotics were originally seized, according to lawyer Roopesh Singh of Patel and Sharma Law Firm. Mr Singh noted that physical drugs serve as vital evidence in establishing an accused person’s guilt regarding possession. Nevertheless, he pointed out that prosecutors are not entirely left without options, as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions could rely on circumstantial evidence depending on judicial discretion.
The missing cocaine was originally seized in connection with the high-profile case of Fiji-Canadian national Joshua Aziz Rahman, who was convicted of unlawful possession of 39.5kg of cocaine and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Although the Fiji Court of Appeal quashed Rahman’s conviction and ordered a retrial, the Supreme Court restored his original conviction and sentence in August 2026. Rahman’s legal proceedings have concluded, and he is not currently facing trial, new charges, or pending appeals related to the case.
High Court Criminal Registry Security Upgrades Underway
Security upgrades at the High Court Criminal Registry commenced following previous delays in procuring and approving information technology security equipment, according to the article. Mr Turaga urged the public to exercise patience while authorities investigate the incident, emphasizing that accountability measures are underway. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers questioned whether the integrity of all stored court exhibits can be verified given the extent of the security failures.
No stone will be left unturned. Anyone found guilty will be held accountable.
Siromi Turaga