The Nadi Magistrates’ Court has ordered that the six Indian national charged for allegedly carrying approximately $183,000 in undeclared foreign currency not be deported in light of the pending criminal charges.
Manish, Harish Sampath, Krishna Kumar, Malini, Sanjana Chandran and Chandran Dasu each face one count of failing to report currency at the borders and one count of money laundering.
They were intercepted by Fiji Revenue and Customs Service officers at Nadi International Airport on 12th July while preparing to leave Fiji, allegedly carrying approximately $183,000 in undeclared foreign currency.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions says that during earlier proceedings, the court was informed that their visitor’s visa were due to expire on 16th October this year and that there are possibility that the accused persons could be deported.
Following the court’s directive, the State liaised with the Department of Immigration to confirm the status of their visa.
They say the Department responded, outlining its position on their visa status and the need to take into account the pending criminal proceedings and existing bail conditions.
The State conveyed the Department’s response to the court, which ordered that the accused persons not be deported in light of the pending criminal charges.
Meanwhile, defence counsel representing the six accused persons has served the State with a letter of representation.
The matter has been adjourned to 11th November, for the State to confirm its position on the charges.
The six remain on bail under strict conditions.
