The seizure of 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine that transited through Fiji from Canada to Australia underscores the challenges faced in combating the illegal drug trade.
Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua commented on the recent drug seizure by Australian authorities. He emphasized that although Fiji was merely a transit point in this case, it highlighted the necessity for the country to bolster its border security.
Tikoduadua pointed out that the criminals’ efforts to conceal the drugs underscored the effectiveness of stringent border controls and international cooperation among border authorities.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reported the arrest of a Canadian national who was found carrying the drugs, hidden in plastic packages wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and coffee beans.
The drugs had an estimated street value of $A13.4 million (approximately $F19 million).
AFP detective Acting Superintendent Steve Wiggins stressed the wider impact of methamphetamine on the Australian community, noting more than 10,000 methamphetamine-related hospitalizations in 2021-2022.