The geographical location of Fiji, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a crucial transit point for international drug cartels and syndicates, facilitating the movement of illicit drugs to Australia and New Zealand. Cartels have established operational networks in the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga.
Law enforcement officials and experts in transnational crime express concern over the rising influence of these drug syndicates, both local and international. They anticipate that as authorities intensify their efforts against illegal drug activities, the strategies employed by these groups will evolve and strengthen.
Fiji has become more than just a passageway for drug shipments; local production of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, is now occurring. Individuals are increasingly manufacturing meth for quick financial gain. Police have conducted raids on residences where equipment used for meth production has been uncovered, identifying various locations known for significant meth usage.
In July, authorities seized drug manufacturing equipment from Canada in a Nadi warehouse that was intended for illegal drug production. They are aware of at least two active syndicates that not only cook their own meth but also receive drugs imported from abroad, while a third syndicate solely relies on imported shipments.
While police have yet to uncover the specific locations for meth production, they are actively profiling and working to dismantle these syndicates and identify those running them. Two of these cartels have been present in Fiji for over a decade, prompting inquiries into how they have managed to thrive within the region. Jose Sousa-Santos, an expert in transnational crime, suggests that the involvement of influential individuals within government and law enforcement facilitates these operations, allowing the drug trade to permeate communities in Fiji.
This report continues the examination of Fiji’s meth crisis, exploring the transshipping of vast quantities of meth, its distribution and consumption within the country, and the individuals implicated in this drug trade. The article will analyze the route taken by over 4.15 tonnes of meth confiscated in Nadi and how it arrived on Viti Levu.
The Pacific serves as a significant transit corridor for drugs from South America and Southeast Asia destined for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Meth produced by Southeast Asian syndicates often passes through this region, with Fiji being a primary point of entry due to its strategic location and considerable population.
Other drugs, like cocaine from South America, follow different routes, entering Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations. Sousa-Santos highlights various tactics employed by these cartels, indicating that while the methods may be traditional, their operations are adapted to the Pacific context.
He underscores the necessity for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority to identify drugs that are being repackaged into other goods for export, aiming to thwart these operations.
The established networks among cartels operating throughout the Pacific facilitate the smuggling of substantial drug quantities into Australia and New Zealand without detection. Traffickers often utilize grid coordinates and satellite phones to designate pick-up points situated outside of Fiji’s exclusive economic zone, thus avoiding local maritime surveillance.
Primary methods of smuggling include the use of yachts, boats, and small crafts that deliver large amounts of meth either within or beyond Fiji’s maritime boundaries. Upon arrival, local networks composed of various individuals, including mid-tier operatives and street-level participants, facilitate the drug’s distribution.
Recent raids in Nadi shed light on the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug network. The significant 4.15 tonnes of meth were brought in using a hired barge that docked in a well-known marina on December 23. Prelude to the drugs’ arrival included meticulous planning, with unidentified individuals already surveying the marina’s depth nine days prior.
In the days leading up to the drug shipment, multiple trips were made to retrieve the narcotics, involving a mysterious superyacht and several unidentified individuals who managed the logistics from the high seas to local distribution points.
Communication for handling this significant drug shipment began long before its arrival, indicating a complex preparation involving a network of locals who, knowingly or unknowingly, contributed to the transportation and storage of the drugs. These operations involved renting properties, hotels, and the use of various communication technologies to avoid detection.
Despite law enforcement efforts following the recent busts in Nadi, arrests have primarily targeted mid-tier operatives, leaving the higher echelons of the syndicate untouched. Sousa-Santos notes that the true masterminds behind these operations remain at large, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the individuals in powerful positions who orchestrate such extensive drug trafficking activities.