Five imported vehicles belonging to Jason Auto & More Pte Ltd have been found with what the company says appears to be deliberate scratches and vandalism, prompting the company to call for a full police investigation into the incident.
Managing Director Jason Chandra says four vehicles from their latest shipment were initially found to have sustained what appears to be deliberate scratches and vandalism upon collection from Suva Wharf.
Chandra says the damage was discovered during the clearance process before the vehicles were transported to the dealership.
He says he was advised by the customs clearing agent this afternoon that another vehicle had also sustained scratches, bringing the total number of affected vehicles to five.
Chandra says each vehicle had undergone an independent inspection by the Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre (JEVIC) before being shipped to Fiji, adding that accompanying inspection reports and photographs clearly show that the vehicles were free from the damage now observed.
He says they have formally reported the matter to the Police and requested a full criminal investigation.
He says they have also written to Fiji Ports Corporation Limited and Carpenters Shipping, requesting their urgent cooperation, including the preservation of CCTV footage, operational records and any other evidence that may assist investigators.
Chandra says, as a newly established Fijian business, the company has invested significantly in importing quality vehicles and creating employment for local people, and incidents of this nature not only result in financial loss but also undermine confidence in the security of imported cargo.
He stresses that their intention is not to assign blame to any organisation or individual; they simply seek a fair, transparent and thorough investigation to establish how the damage occurred and to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
He adds that they remain committed to supplying quality vehicles and maintaining the trust placed in the company by its customers, and are confident the relevant authorities and stakeholders will cooperate fully to determine the facts.
Police have confirmed that a report was lodged yesterday, adding that investigations are underway, and efforts are continuing to identify the person responsible.
