Five people charged in relation to the $3 billion Vatia cocaine drug bust in January this year have been granted immunity by the Ba High Court.
24-year-old Bainivalu Suguturaga is charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and one count of serious assault.
Also included are 39-year-old Ponipate Mateyawa, 49-year-old John Taotala from New Zealand, and 33-year-old Merewalesi Qolimaiwasa case who are all charged with a count of conspiracy to commit importation of illicit drugs.
It is alleged that between 1st November, 2025 and 15th January, 2026, in and around Fiji, the five accused conspired amongst themselves and with others to unlawfully import, transport, transfer and store 2644 kg of illicit drugs.
Taotala has been charged with two counts of possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime.
Hill and Qolimaiwasa have each been charged with a count of possession of items believed to be proceeds of crime.
46-year-old Manasa Saladrau of Waiyavi, Lautoka; 42-year-old self-employed Norman Fisher of Vuda, Lautoka; 36-year-old self-employed Sunia Kobululevu of Nanuya Street, Lautoka; and 23-year-old Anaseini Lisa Kinikinilau Rokolati, an Australian citizen, are charged with conspiracy to commit the unlawful importation of illicit drugs.
In addition to the conspiracy charge, Kobululevu has been charged with criminal intimidation.
Saladrau and Rokolati have also been charged with unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
Saladrau is further charged with destroying evidence.
The matter has been adjourned to next Monday.
