Undeclared alcohol worth $6,500 in duty liability and compounding penalties was seized from a foreign-flagged vessel in Savusavu. The Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS) reported that the confiscated items included 234 bottles of 200ml rum, three bottles of 750ml rum, and one bottle of 1-liter liquor, discovered during an inspection as part of a joint operation.
The vessel’s master was arrested and charged under Section 137(a) of the Customs Act 1986 following the seizure. The confiscated alcohol was turned over to FRCS for detention.
Udit Singh, the chief executive officer of FRCS, commended the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved and highlighted the significance of such operations in protecting national revenue and public services. He stated, “Alcohol is subject to excise duty on import to Fiji, and smuggling undermines revenue that supports essential public services like schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.” Singh also warned foreign vessel operators to familiarize themselves with Fiji’s entry requirements and affirmed FRCS’s intolerance for illegal activities at the country’s borders.
This operation was executed after a two-week seaport border management vessel search training held in Savusavu, which marked its third iteration. The training involved 35 participants from maritime border security agencies and involved community awareness initiatives in 15 villages, supported by the Ministry of i-Taukei Affairs. This effort is funded by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with FRCS and additional agencies.
The successful operation highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration among various partner agencies to enhance maritime security. The joint inspection team included members from FRCS, RFN, the Fiji Dog Detector Unit, the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Immigration Department, the Ministry of Fisheries, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.