The owner of a pharmaceutical chain in the Pacific, Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji, has been sentenced to four years in jail in New Zealand following a joint operation between the New Zealand Police and the Fiji Police Force.
Mr Umarji, the owner of HyperChem Pharmacy was sentenced by the Auckland District Court on August 9 on charges relating to the importing and exporting of illicit drugs across the Pacific region.
The Fiji Times reported earlier this year the charges were related to the importation of pseudoephedrine.
Pseudoephedrine is an over-the-counter drug that was often used by small clandestine laboratories to make a highly addictive drug called methamphetamine, known on the streets as “ice”.
Director Narcotics Bureau, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Serupepeli Neiko, said they had been helping their New Zealand counterparts since 2017.
“The investigations were around the importation of illicit drugs into New Zealand,” Mr Neiko said.
“The investigation was carried out by New Zealand Police in 2017 and we were providing support until the sentencing.”
Mr Neiko said the local police would still continue their own investigation into Mr Umarji while also rendering support to the NZ Police.
“We will be pursuing other avenues of investigations, especially the financial aspects.
“We will continue to pursue the financial aspect of the case. Any further legal actions against Mr Umarji will be based on the outcome of investigations and legal advice.”
The Fiji Football Association (FFA) said that they would be releasing a statement today as Mr Umarji was a vice president of the association when he was sentenced.
