Fiji’s geographic positioning in the Pacific Ocean makes it a prime location for international drug cartels and syndicates to transport illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. Criminal networks from regions like Fiji and Tonga have established conduits across the Pacific, raising concerns for police and transnational crime specialists regarding the growing influence of these syndicates amid intensified law enforcement efforts.
Increasingly, locals in Fiji are becoming involved in the production of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, for quick profits. Police have conducted raids on homes where equipment used for meth production has been confiscated, highlighting the presence of known hotspots for meth use.
In July, authorities seized drug production equipment imported from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi, intended for creating illegal substances. Law enforcement has identified two active criminal syndicates in Fiji that manufacture their own meth while also importing drugs from abroad, and a third group that only receives shipments.
Although the specific locations of meth production remain undisclosed, police are actively profiling and tracking these criminal operations. Two of the identified cartels have operated in Fiji for over a decade, prompting questions regarding their durability in the region. Transnational crime expert Jose Sousa-Santos suggests that connections among elite individuals within government and law enforcement play a role in facilitating the movement of drugs, resulting in adverse effects on Fijian communities.
This article continues from a prior report on the meth issue in Fiji, examining the transportation of large quantities of meth into the nation, the subsequent sale and use, and the individuals involved. A significant recent case involved the seizure of 4.15 tonnes of meth from Nadi, illuminating the intricacies of the drug trafficking network.
The Pacific acts as a critical route for drugs trafficked from South America and Southeast Asia toward Australian and New Zealand markets. Fiji’s favorable positioning—combined with its sizable population and economy—makes it a prime destination for meth produced by Southeast Asian groups. In contrast, drugs like cocaine from South America usually enter Fiji through different trafficking routes.
Experts note that sophisticated tactics, including the repackage of drugs into other goods for export, are employed by these cartel networks. Additionally, various channels, such as air, sea, and human carriers, are utilized for drug smuggling, often relying on yachts and boats that operate outside Fiji’s surveillance zones.
The recent drug raids in Nadi reveal the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug network. Last December, 4.15 tonnes of meth were brought into the country via a hired barge, following a meticulous planning process that began months prior. The operation involved unidentified Caucasian individuals and local operatives who coordinated several trips to retrieve drugs from a superyacht situated outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone.
Operational details show that local networks consisting of sex workers, criminals, and opportunistic “foot soldiers” facilitate these illegal activities. Upon arriving in Fiji, the drugs were divided and transported using rental cars, culminating in the seizure of a significant quantity of meth from various premises.
Investigations indicate that communication among masterminds and local operatives occurred well ahead of drug shipments. Individuals operating in Nadi—many of whom were unsuspecting businesspeople—unwittingly participated in the drug movement and storage.
The hierarchy of local gangs involved in drug trafficking ties back to more serious criminal elements linked with prostitution and human trafficking. However, in the aftermath of recent drug busts in Nadi, only mid-tier operatives have faced arrest, raising concerns that higher-level players responsible for orchestrating these drug movements remain untouched.