18 May 2005

Fiji's police commissioner appeals to Chinese community to speak up

9:29 am on 18 May 2005

Fiji's Police commissioner, Andrew Hughes, is appealing to members of the Chinese community to come forward if they have been harassed by criminals.

Andrew Hughes was speaking after claims by a Chinese businessman, Kester Yee, that a group of four, including the deported Mafia Queen, heroin smuggler, Billy Hao and Jason Zhong, had been demanding large sums of money from local Chinese.

Mr Yee made the claims after the release on bail of Mr Zhong who was detained last year for a 600 million U.S. dollar methamphetamine drug bust.

But, Mr Hughes says there have been no formal complaints and people must come forward if this is happening.

"If anyone, from the Chinese community or the general community are being harassed or threatened by anybody, then they must come forward to the police and we will take action."

Mr Hughes also dismissed claims by Mr Yee that Chinese Triad gangs are operating in Fiji although he says one or two criminals may have links to overseas gangs.