THE State will proceed to trial in 2027 against a Suva businessman charged with importing over 600 grams of cocaine hidden inside a smoke machine.
Shonal Sharma appeared before Magistrate Joseph Daurewa at the Suva Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Senior prosecutor Eoghan Samisoni informed the court that he had met the defence last week for a pre-trial conference, but no agreement was reached on the facts or documents. Instead, the State has been put to strict proof.
Mr Sharma, a company manager, is charged with one count of unlawful importation of illicit drugs stemming from an October 25, 2025, consignment from Brazil addressed to Mr Sharma’s company.
Declared as a “smoke machine,” the parcel was flagged by drug detector dogs during inspection, leading officers to discover a motherboard housing a black cover that contained approximately 640 grams of cocaine.
Magistrate Daurewa has adjourned the matter to November 6 to fix a trial date for 2027.
Businessman Shonal Sharma at the Suva Magistrate’s Court on September 16. Picture: ANDREW NAIDU
