Fiji’s geographical location, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant hub for drug cartels and syndicates operating from overseas, facilitating the transit of illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. Transnational crime experts and local police have expressed concern over the increasing influence and tactics of these drug syndicates, particularly as authorities intensify their efforts against illegal activities.
Importantly, Fiji is not just a transit point; local production of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, is also on the rise. Law enforcement has conducted numerous raids on residences where equipment for meth production was discovered, and certain areas in Fiji are identified as hotspots for meth use.
In July, police confiscated equipment from Canada intended for meth production during a raid in Nadi. Officials are currently aware of two local criminal syndicates actively producing meth while receiving shipments from overseas, and a third syndicate that only operates as a recipient of illicit drugs.
Despite this awareness, police have not yet disclosed the specific locations where meth is being manufactured, but ongoing investigations aim to profile and dismantle these syndicates. The two primary cartels have been entrenched in Fiji for over a decade, with connections to individuals in influential positions that facilitate drug movement, according to Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert.
As noted in a recent investigative report, Fiji serves as a key transshipment point for meth produced by Southeast Asian syndicates, which often reroute drugs from Mexico or South America through distinct trafficking paths. Sousa-Santos stressed the importance of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority in detecting drugs concealed within legitimate goods intended for export.
The established networks of drug cartels in Fiji and Tonga enable large quantities of illicit drugs to be trafficked undetected towards Australia and New Zealand. Traffickers utilize grid coordinates and satellite phones to identify pickup points outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone, relying on various methods including maritime transport and human carriers.
Recent investigations reveal that yachts and boats predominantly serve as the primary vessels for smuggling substantial amounts of meth into Fiji. Once onshore, local networks, including opportunistic individuals and known criminals, facilitate the distribution of drugs throughout the country.
A detailed analysis of recent drug raids in Nadi uncovered a complex web of operations involving the transshipment of 4.15 tonnes of meth. The drugs were initially brought into Fiji via a hired barge, adhering to meticulous planning long before their arrival. Surveillance indicated that unidentified individuals had scouted locations and coordinated movements well in advance of the drugs’ entry.
Subsequent trips were made to transfer the drugs from a superyacht to safe locations in Nadi, involving various local operatives who unknowingly participated in the complex trafficking networks. The utilization of rental vehicles and discreet communication methods enabled the local networks to navigate the logistics.
Reports indicate that most individuals involved in the operation were local businesspeople who interacted socially or professionally with criminal elements. The consistent use of local resources highlights how grassroots participants can unknowingly contribute to larger organized crime activities.
Further complicating the situation, Sousa-Santos pointed out the entrenched hierarchy within local gangs that control human trafficking, prostitution, and other illegal operations in Fiji. He noted that only mid-tier operatives have faced arrest in connection with recent drug busts, with the true masterminds and high-level facilitators remaining elusive and protected by their positions of power.
As investigations continue, authorities face the challenge of dismantling these deeply rooted networks while addressing the broader implications of drug trafficking on Fijian society.