Fiji’s geographical position in the Pacific Ocean has made it an attractive hub for drug cartels and syndicates to traffic illicit drugs to Australia and New Zealand. The presence of established networks across the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga, further facilitates this illegal activity.
Law enforcement and crime experts express concern over the rising influence and tactics of these drug syndicates as authorities increase their efforts to combat drug-related crimes. While Fiji is often seen as merely a transit point for drug shipments, local production of methamphetamine, known as meth or ice, is on the rise. Residents are now engaging in the manufacture of this substance to generate quick profits.
Police have conducted raids on homes where equipment for meth production has been found, revealing hotspots within the country associated with meth use. In July, authorities seized drug manufacturing equipment from Canada in a Nadi warehouse, indicating ongoing local production.
Fiji is currently known to have two criminal syndicates producing their own meth while also receiving drugs from abroad. A third syndicate exclusively relies on incoming shipments. Although the police have not disclosed the specific locations for meth production, efforts are being made to profile and track these operations.
Experts point to the involvement of influential individuals in government and law enforcement as a significant factor enabling the longevity of these drug cartels in Fiji. Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert focused on the Pacific and Southeast Asia, underlines that it is often the commercial elite within government and law enforcement facilitating the drug trade, leading to substantial community impacts.
The article continues from a previous report on Fiji’s methamphetamine crisis, detailing the intricate transshipment networks and local use of meth. It also provides a comprehensive account of how 4.15 tonnes of meth were smuggled into Viti Levu.
The Pacific has become a critical corridor for drugs from South America and Southeast Asia destined for Australian and New Zealand markets. Drugs from Southeast Asian syndicates typically flow through Fiji due to its strategic location, significant population, and economic factors. In contrast, drugs from Mexico and South America take alternative routes into Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations.
Drug traffickers utilize various methods for smuggling, including yachts and boats, often coordinating their operations outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone to evade local surveillance. Once drugs reach Fiji, local networks involving various actors, from sex workers to criminals, assist in distributing and selling the drugs.
Investigations into a recent drug bust in Nadi reveal a complex network of operations. The meth was delivered via a hired barge that docked at a marina on December 23. Prior planning included individuals assessing the marina’s depths and coordinating with a superyacht that had anchored outside Fiji’s waters. Multiple trips were made to retrieve the drugs, indicating a sophisticated operation.
Drugs were transferred to various locations in Nadi, using rental vehicles and communication through specialized apps. Seizures included significant quantities of meth found in a vacant home and an apartment linked to local networks.
The ongoing efforts of law enforcement reveal complexities in Fiji’s drug landscape, which has been marked by the collaboration of local and international syndicates. The involvement of local operatives, often unaware of the full scope of the operations, raises further concerns about the reach of organized crime in the region. Despite recent arrests, there has been a notable absence of charges against top-tier cartel members reportedly orchestrating the larger operations.