A prominent Fijian businessman and sports figure involved in smuggling drugs into New Zealand has been released from prison and deported back to Fiji.
Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji, 48, admitted to importing $5 million worth of pseudoephedrine, an ingredient used in manufacturing methamphetamine. He was sentenced to four years in prison in August 2023, with his sentence later reduced by six months on appeal.
During his parole hearing last month, the board expressed concern that Umarji could return to drug smuggling once back in Fiji. However, after a detailed discussion, the Parole Board concluded it was unlikely he would re-offend. Umarji cited "greed" as the reason behind his involvement, explaining that he was paid $10 for each packet of Actifed pills, which were removed from shipments by a freight forwarding partner.
The board accepted that Umarji was not directly connected to a criminal syndicate in New Zealand and no longer had ties to the family business involved in pharmaceutical imports. They were satisfied that his risk of re-offending was low and granted his deportation to Fiji. He will not be allowed to return to New Zealand until his sentence ends in February 2027.
Umarji’s conviction marked a significant fall from grace. He had been managing director of multiple pharmacies in Fiji and the Pacific under the Hyperchem group, which handled the legal import and export of pharmaceuticals. He was also a major figure in Fijian sports, holding leadership roles with the Fiji Football Association and serving on FIFA committees.
New Zealand police began investigating Umarji after suspicions arose from a separate case. In 2017, police had discovered a large sum of cash and 4000 boxes of Actifed in a search related to Firdos "Freddie" Dalal, a freight company owner. Dalal was later found to be working with Umarji to divert Actifed shipments intended for Fiji and the Solomon Islands through New Zealand. These pills were swapped for legitimate medicine and sold on the black market.
New Zealand authorities sought Umarji’s extradition from Fiji in 2019. After fleeing to India, he eventually surrendered to New Zealand police in 2022, pleaded guilty, and returned to Fiji before sentencing
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