Fiji anti-corruption chief shoots down speculation linking her to drug investigation

Fiji's anti-corruption agency chief Lavi Rokoika has rejected speculation that she is the high-profile suspect in the missing cocaine case that was held at the Suva High Court evidence room valued at more than FJ$50 million.

Local media report that the Fiji Police has identified an "official who is the sister of one of the six persons of interest in the investigation" in the case involving the missing exhibit that was replaced with flour.

Fiji Police have identified several persons of interest and so far one judiciary employee - Jiuta Naivalarua Raibevu, 51 - has been charged with one count of interfering with evidence and one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs.

"It is alleged that [Raibevu] together with another, unlawfully interfered, seized and possessed 39.5 kilograms of cocaine from the Suva High Court registry. The alleged offences occurred between 23 March 2021 and 15 September 2026," according to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

The Fiji Sun reported in a front-page story of Wednesday's edition of the newspaper that the "official is a partner in a Fiji based law firm that has also come under police investigation for unverified financial transactions".

Directly addressing the online speculation linking her to the case for the first time, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Rokoika explicitly denied claims that she might be the official concerned.

"I am not aware of the Fiji Police pursuing me in connection with any investigation concerning missing cocaine," she said in an email response to RNZ Pacific.

"I have no knowledge of, or involvement in, any alleged missing cocaine referred to in your email."

Rokoika also confirmed that she was currently in Suva and is "attending to my official duties".

RNZ Pacific has contacted Fiji Police for comment, seeking clarification on who the "high-ranking official" is, as reported in local media, and to confirm when the concerned suspect would be questioned in relation to the case.