Home Affairs Ministers, Pio Tikoduadua says allegations raised in recent Australian media reports about the owner of Yue Lai Hotel owner are not new.
Mr Tikoduadua said the matter has been the subject of investigations by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit for a long time.
“I will however reiterate what I told the 60 Minutes Australia interview that if anyone has any evidence about these allegations, this should be reported to the Fiji Police Force to investigate,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka did not comment on the allegations because he did not “know the man”.
According to the media reports, Fiji-based businessman Zhao Fugang is alleged to be a senior member of a syndicate involved in drug smuggling, money laundering, and human trafficking.
The reports say there is no record of Mr Zhao ever being charged in Australia or elsewhere.
“Authorities have not publicized any evidence against him and he denies any wrongdoing.”
Meanwhile, lawyers for Mr Zhao whilst speaking to The Fiji Times, denied the allegations made in the media reports.
More on this story in tomorrow’s The Fiji Times newspaper.
