Four foreign nationals, along with two local men from Veisaru in Ba, have been charged following a significant drug bust involving the seizure of 2,630 parcels of cocaine during a coordinated raid in Vatia waters last Friday. The operation was the culmination of extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance, orchestrated by the Fiji Police Force’s Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department (SOCID) in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The four Ecuadorian nationals face multiple charges, including one count each of Unlawful Importation of Illicit Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Illicit Drugs, and Unlawful Entry into Fiji, as specified under Section 6 (1) of the Immigration Act 2003. Additionally, a 26-year-old local man has been charged with one count of Unlawful Importation of Illicit Drugs, two counts of Unlawful Possession of Illicit Drugs, and one count of serious assault. The other local accused, a 39-year-old man, faces charges for Unlawful Possession of Illicit Drugs and Serious Assault.
The intelligence operation began in July 2025 when SOCID identified a potential drug trafficking route from South America to Fiji, prompting months of surveillance and information gathering. In December 2025, a shipment destined for the region was flagged, leading to the eventual interception of a semi-submersible vessel and multiple arrests on January 15, 2026. A raid executed by joint police agencies uncovered bags containing cocaine, which has since been confirmed to weigh 2.64 tons with an estimated street value exceeding 780 million Australian dollars or over 1 billion FJD.
All accused individuals are set to appear before the Tavua Magistrates Court today, while investigations continue into additional suspects believed to be linked to this operation. Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu praised the operation as a vindication of collaborative efforts within law enforcement and stressed the importance of public support in combating the illicit drug trade.
“They may view our efforts as ineffective, not realizing the extensive work and risks involved,” said Tudravu, emphasizing that the disruption of drug networks is critical for regional security. He reassured the public that decisive actions are being undertaken to uncover further connections involved in the illicit trade and urged community involvement in supporting police initiatives.
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