A Fiji court has heard that controversial developer Freesoul currently does not have any approval from the Department of Environment to carry out any works on Malolo Island.
Malolo Island is the largest of the Mamanuca Group off Fiji's west coast. Photo: Supplied
Freesoul Limited has been charged with one count of undertaking unauthorised development and failure to comply with a prohibition notice.
In the Suva Magistrates Court on Wednesday, the Director of Environment said the department was made aware of the alleged illegal activities at Malolo Island by the then Director of Lands via an email on 29 May, 2018.
Sandeep Singh said one of the environment officers had accompanied a team from the Lands Department to inspect the site on 1 June, 2018.
Singh said when she received the information from her officer, she issued a prohibition notice on the same day.
The trial continues.
If convicted, the company directors face fines of up to $US345,000 or a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.
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