A new trend in drug trafficking has emerged in Fiji, where traffickers are disguising themselves as pastors and elderly women to evade detection by border officers. Pio Tikoduadua, the Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs, highlighted this troubling development during a recent statement, pointing out that it poses significant challenges for law enforcement.
According to Mr. Tikoduadua, these traffickers frequently arrive at the country’s international airports, carrying illegal substances while posing as religious figures or senior citizens to exploit vulnerabilities in security checks. He emphasized that the appearance of these individuals varies frequently, making it imperative for authorities to remain vigilant in their efforts to apprehend them.
Mr. Tikoduadua praised the work of the country’s law enforcement agencies that work tirelessly to protect Fiji’s borders from drug-related crimes. He urged the public to participate in the national action plan against drug trafficking, stressing that combating this issue is a collective responsibility that extends beyond police work and into the community at large. He noted that many individuals in the business sector possess the resources to contribute effectively to this cause.