Fiji’s geographic location, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant hub for international drug cartels and syndicates, facilitating the transit of illicit drugs to Australia and New Zealand. Cartels have established networks across the Pacific, with a notable presence in Fiji and Tonga.
Police and transnational crime experts express concern over the growing influence and tactics of these drug syndicates, both local and international, particularly as law enforcement intensifies its efforts against illegal activities. Furthermore, Fiji is not merely a transit point; locals have begun producing methamphetamine, known colloquially as meth or ice, for profit. Law enforcement has conducted raids on residences where meth production equipment was found, identifying certain hotspots in the country associated with rampant meth use.
In July, police intercepted a shipment of drug production equipment from Canada in a Nadi warehouse intended for illicit drug creation. Authorities are aware of two active criminal syndicates that produce meth while also importing illegal drugs, and a third syndicate that focuses solely on receiving shipments from abroad. Although the precise locations of meth production remain undisclosed, investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle these networks.
The two primary cartels operating in Fiji for over a decade have thrived due to the alleged involvement of influential individuals within government and law enforcement. According to Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert, these commercial elites often facilitate drug trafficking, resulting in consequences for local communities.
This article delves deeper into the transshipment of meth, the local drug trade, and the parties involved, including analysis of the recently seized 4.15 tonnes of meth in Nadi. The Pacific region serves as a vital transit corridor for drugs trafficked from South America and Southeast Asia to Australian and New Zealand markets. While meth from Southeast Asian syndicates typically moves through Fiji due to its strategic location, other drugs like cocaine from South America take different routes before arriving in Fiji and Tonga.
Sousa-Santos explains that traffickers utilize a variety of methods to operate undetected, including grid coordinates and satellite phones to navigate pickup points outside of Fiji’s maritime surveillance range. Illicit drugs are smuggled by air, sea, and through human carriers, with yachts and small vessels often employed to deliver large quantities of meth to Fiji’s shores.
Once in Fiji, drugs are handled by local networks consisting of various operatives, including sex workers, high-risk criminals, and opportunists, who facilitate the distribution of drugs on behalf of larger syndicates. The recent drug seizures in Nadi highlight the complexity of the local drug network.
In December, the 4.15 tonnes of meth arrived via a hired barge docking at a prominent marina in Nadi. Extensive planning preceded this event, with individuals conducting reconnaissance on the marina’s depth and securing accommodations in the area. Multiple trips to pick up the drugs from a superyacht took place over several days, with local operatives using hired boats for transportation.
Communication about the drug shipment was established months in advance, indicating a well-organized operation. Landlords of properties used for drug storage were often unaware of the illegal activities occurring at their locations.
Mr. Sousa-Santos concluded that the local gangs involved in drug trafficking maintain connections to higher-ranking criminals who control various illegal enterprises in Fiji. Despite the recent police raids, only mid-tier operatives were apprehended, raising concerns about the absence of arrests among influential figures capable of managing such a large-scale operation.