The Fiji Police Force is ramping up its investigation following a significant drug bust at Vatia Wharf in Tavua on January 16. The operation has raised concerns about a potential link to a simultaneous cocaine seizure in French Polynesia, which authorities intercepted that same day.
During the Fiji operation, four South American nationals were arrested, and a substantial quantity of illicit drugs, suspected to be cocaine, was confiscated. French authorities reported intercepting a vessel laden with several tonnes of suspected cocaine within their maritime zone, sparking further investigation into possible transnational drug trafficking connections.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime, Mesake Waqa, stated that authorities are collaborating with both regional and international partners to explore potential criminal links. Intelligence is being shared through the Pacific Transnational Crime Network (PTCN) to bolster their efforts. “We are closely monitoring developments, assessing threats across the Pacific, and ensuring no gaps are left in our regional cooperation,” ACP Waqa emphasized.
Investigators are looking into whether the drugs recovered in Fiji are part of a larger transnational shipment with the drugs seized in French Polynesia. They are also probing the potential involvement of sophisticated maritime smuggling techniques, such as submersibles. It remains uncertain if the arrested individuals had prior maritime experience or whether local contacts and facilitators played a role in any drug trafficking operations.
ACP Waqa underscored the ongoing threat posed by organized crime syndicates operating across the Pacific, urging that the situation is being treated with the utmost urgency. The dual seizures underline a rising concern regarding trans-Pacific drug trafficking, with experts warning that Fiji’s ports could increasingly attract sophisticated criminal networks that may employ advanced smuggling methods.
These developments serve as a reminder of the challenges authorities face in combatting organized crime and highlight the importance of regional cooperation in securing maritime borders against drug trafficking threats.
Leave a comment