$3B Cocaine Bust: Vatia Waters Held in Custody

Six individuals, including four Ecuadorian nationals and two Fijian men, have been remanded in custody in connection with the seizure of 2.64 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3 billion if sold in Australia. The group appeared in the Rakiraki Magistrates Court regarding the drugs intercepted at Vatia Wharf.

Cocaine Trafficking Case Details

The six individuals appeared before Rakiraki Magistrate Timoci Qalinauci. Luciano Enrique Mero Sanchez, 47, Jonathan Javier Solorzano Bermello, 30, Ramon Isidro Vega Parraga, 52, and Alejandro Juvenal Yagual Gonzalez, 47, are each charged with one count each of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and unlawful entry into Fiji.

Bainivalu Suguturaga, 24, faces charges of unlawful importation of illicit drugs, two counts of unlawful possession of illicit drugs, and one count of serious assault. Munendra, 32, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and one count of serious assault.

The four Ecuadorian nationals have requested Legal Aid. Suguturaga is represented by Filimoni Daveta, and Munendra is represented by Mohammed Yunis. Deputy Director of the Office of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku is appearing for the State.

Magistrate Qalinauci ordered that Suguturaga and Munendra be taken to a hospital for medical examination, as their lawyers stated they were assaulted during their arrest.

The case is scheduled to be heard again on February 5th at the Lautoka High Court at 9:30 am.

Australian media reports indicate that an alleged narco submarine was used to transport the cocaine, destined for Australia, but was intercepted by Fijian authorities.

Fiji Police Force’s Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department received intelligence in July 2025 regarding a significant drug trafficking operation originating from South America. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, led to the interception in December 2025. Officers from CID, SOCID, and the Western Division Taskforce executed the raid on Thursday night.