Port orders probe on missing currency

Submitted by TemoL on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 8:00am

An internal investigation has been ordered by Fiji Ports Corporation Limited following the alleged disappearance of about $1million from a container at the Suva Kings Wharf in the weekend.

Fiji Ports Corporation Limited acting chief executive officer Waqa Bauleka said “We are working closely with police in trying to solve the case."

Mr Bauleka refused to elaborate on the missing money, which was taken from the container.

Fiji Police Force assistant spokesman Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri said no one has been taken in for questioning at the moment.

The large amount of cash in $20 notes was being shipped from the United Kingdom for the Reserve Bank of Fiji.

The serial notes of the missing $20 notes were from EB 45,000 to EB 50,000.

The incident was alleged to have taken place last Friday night. According to police the container was cut open from the outside.

“The Police are utilising all their resources, manpower and time in trying to solve this case at the earliest possible time,” Inspector Sokomuri said.

Meanwhile, Mr Bauleka will brief the media today about the case.

The press conference will be held at the Studio 6 Apartment in Suva at 9am.