Vanuatu Kava Root Powder Photo: kalmwithkava.com
The Acting Chief Executive of the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) says there is no ban on kava imports due to the recent hard drug raids in the country.
On Monday, the producer and owner of Green Gold Kava Praveen Narayan told RNZ Pacific he was informed by his agents about the ban.
Narayan said he tried to send kava out of Nadi on Monday on flights but were stopped by the Civil Aviation Authority.
He claims the recent major drug busts where police have discovered cocaine and methamphetamine in kava packs has put the Fijian kava industry on "red alerts".
However, CAAF boss Rigamoto Aisake has confirmed the organisation has not issued any order to stop exporting kava following the discovery of illicit drugs in kava packets.
"CAAF has not issued any directive to kava exporters to stop exporting kava following last weeks discovery of drugs packed in kava consignments," Aisake said.
"The information that there was a directive from CAAF to temporarily stop exporting kava is incorrect."
He said local kava exporters can contact CAAF directly if they have any queries in relation to this matter.
"Kava exporters are also urged to refrain from sharing information that is not correct," he added.