21 Dec 2002

Fiji's "Mafia Queen" tried on larceny charges

8:43 am on 21 December 2002

A Chinese national known as the Mafia Queen of Fiji has appeared in court charged with larceny.

44 year old Yan Xiaq Hua, was chaged with larceny after she withdrew most of the 10 thousand 200 US dollars mistakenly deposited in her account by the ANZ Bank.

She has been released on bail.

The minister for home affairs issued a deportation order against Ms Hua several years ago but authorities have been unable to enforce it because she is alleged to have friends in high places.

Previous media reports have linked her to drug smuggling, money laundering, people smuggling and prostitution rackets.

The government has now constituted a special tribunal to hear her application for citizenship.