A 40-year-old General Manager from Tamavua, charged following the interception of a cocaine shipment sent from Brazil, has been released on a $5000 cash bail.
Shonal Sharma appeared before Magistrate Vinaina Diroiroi at the Suva Magistrate’s Court today.
It is alleged that the consignment, addressed to Mr Sharma’s company, arrived in the country on October 25 this year. The package, which was declared as a “smoke machine,” was flagged as suspicious after being detected by a drug detector dog during inspection.
When the package was opened, officers discovered that a device labeled as a smoke machine contained a motherboard with a black cover. Upon cutting the cover open, a white powdered substance was found hidden inside.
Preliminary tests confirmed the substance to be cocaine, weighing approximately 640 grams. Following this discovery, a controlled delivery was conducted.
On October 30, a police team intercepted a vehicle at the company’s car park and arrested Mr Sharma, who was charged with importation of illicit drugs.
He has also been released on strict bail conditions.
Mr Sharma is represented by Senior Lawyers Devanesh Sharma, Gul Fatima, and Amrit Chand.
The case is adjourned to January 14, 2026 for plea.
