Nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine held as evidence by a court in Fiji has disappeared, according to multiple reports. The drugs were reportedly replaced with flour.
The cocaine had been seized in connection with the arrest of an Australian national, according to ABC News (Australia). CNN reported that the drugs were held by a Fiji court before being swapped out.
Center-leaning outlets CNA and France 24 reported that thieves took the drugs "under the nose" of Fiji police, substituting flour in their place. The Straits Times, citing media reports, said the drug exhibits stolen amounted to nearly 40kg.
No right-leaning outlets have reported on this story so far.
How each side covered it
Left
- ABC News (Australia) linked the missing cocaine to the arrest of an Australian national.
- CNN reported nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine held by a Fiji court was replaced with flour.
“Nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine held by Fiji court replaced with flour” — CNN
Center
- CNA and France 24 both reported thieves swapped the drugs for flour under the oversight of Fiji police.
- The Straits Times cited media reports confirming the stolen drug exhibits amounted to nearly 40kg.
“Thieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour” — CNA
Questions readers ask
What happened to the cocaine seized in Fiji?
Nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine held as evidence by a court in Fiji went missing and was reportedly replaced with flour, according to multiple media reports.
Who was the cocaine connected to?
According to ABC News (Australia), the cocaine was seized in relation to the arrest of an Australian national.
How did the drugs go missing?
CNA and France 24 reported that thieves swapped the drugs for flour while they were under the oversight of Fiji police, though further details were not specified in the available reports.
How much cocaine was involved?
The Straits Times, citing media reports, said the drug exhibits stolen amounted to nearly 40 kilograms, a figure also cited by CNN.
Is this story still developing?
Yes, limited details are available and no right-leaning outlets have reported on the event, suggesting the story is still developing.
Sources · 5 outlet reports
- ABC News (Australia)Left-leaningCocaine bricks worth $10m replaced with flour in Fiji drug trial
- CNNLeft-leaningNearly 40 kilograms of cocaine held by Fiji court replaced with flour
- CNACenterThieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour
- France 24CenterThieves swipe drugs under nose of Fiji police, swap with flour
- The Straits TimesCenterCocaine evidence missing from Fiji court was swopped out for flour, media say