Methamphetamine and cocaine smuggled into Pacific nations have been discovered hidden in items such as audio speakers and instant noodle packets. In addition, Fijian police have intercepted drugs and controlled steroids concealed in consumer goods like coffee.
This information was detailed in a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges and Impact,” which was launched in Suva recently.
The report highlighted the various methods smugglers employ to bring their products into the region, pointing out that Fiji and Papua New Guinea are particularly vulnerable due to lucrative cargo routes. Moreover, the Air Cargo Control Unit at Nadi International Airport has seized smaller drug consignments transported through mail or parcels.
From February 2021 to September 2023, 11 of the 16 drug seizures involved methamphetamine, with amounts ranging from 200 grams to 5 kilograms. These packages originated from countries including the United States, Canada, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
Additionally, the report indicated that several small criminal networks operating outside of Fiji, particularly among Fijians living abroad, facilitate these drug shipments. Notably, the report mentions that sea drop-offs are often made by vessels using rafts equipped with locating devices. It also states that many drugs washing up on various Pacific coasts are the result of unsuccessful drop-off attempts. While no drugs have been seized from rafts in the Pacific to date, some rafts have been found in Fiji, suggesting potential drug shipments.
The report cautioned that the establishment of a regional drug market poses serious risks, not only destabilizing security and governance in the Pacific but also having detrimental health and social consequences.
While acknowledging efforts by policymakers to tackle the escalating drug issue, the UNODC stressed the importance of being ready to adapt to shifts in trafficking routes and smuggling techniques employed by organized crime. The report noted that as authorities enhance drug interdiction efforts in one area, traffickers might exploit new routes through different jurisdictions in the Pacific region.