FICAC has been granted permission by the Courts to inspect a container after the Lautoka High Court as the owner of the container is charged with allegedly bribing a Customs official to let the container into the country.

The Lautoka Court heard that on the 3rd of August this year, former Pakistani national who owns an import business in the country, Furgan Rizvi had imported goods loaded in the container and arranged for it to be opened in front of the Officer however he allegedly paid the Officer $200 to "look the other way."

FICAC Lawyer Aca Rayawa informed the Court that the Customs Officer was found in Nadi town later that day after allegedly having used some of the money to buy lunch. The Officer is alleged to have confessed to having received the bribe in his caution statement.

In making his ruling High Court Judge, Justice Paul Madigan states that under the Bribery Act, the container and its contents be given to FICAC as agents of the Attorney General, where they will control the container for the next 6 months while investigations are being carried out.

A hearing date has yet to be set.