Nadi businessman Vishwa Nandan has been remanded in custody by the Rakiraki Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the importation of more than 2.6 tonnes of cocaine seized in Vatia earlier this year.
The 68-year-old, a resident of Naisoso, Nadi, appeared in court yesterday before Magistrate Timoci Qalinauci.
Mr Nandan represented himself in court while Viliame Koronivalu of the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions represented the State.
Mr Nandan is charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs and one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs. He is alleged to have worked with others between November 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026, without lawful authority to import into Fiji 2644.5 kilograms of cocaine. He is also alleged to have been in unlawful possession of the cocaine.
Mr Nandan told the court that he had no other pending cases.
State lawyer Mr Koronivalu strongly objected to bail. He told the court that Mr Nandan’s case would be consolidated with the other matters before the High Court in Ba.
Ordering that Mr Nandan stay in jail, Magistrate Qalinauci told him he could submit his bail application, including any claimed alibi, within 21 days to the High Court.
The matter has been adjourned to June 23 in the High Court at Ba.
