The geographical location of Fiji, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant hub for international cartels and syndicates, facilitating the transit of illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. These cartels have established networks throughout the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga.
Experts in police and transnational crime have expressed their concerns regarding the local and international drug syndicates, predicting an escalation in their tactics and influence as law enforcement intensifies its efforts against illegal activities. However, Fiji’s role extends beyond merely being a transit point for drug shipments; there is a rising trend of local production of methamphetamines, commonly referred to as meth or ice, aimed at generating quick profits.
Local authorities have conducted multiple raids on homes where equipment used for meth production was discovered. There are known hotspots, regularly monitored by police, where methamphetamine use is prevalent.
In July, law enforcement confiscated equipment from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi, believed to be intended for meth production. This reflects the broader trend of Fiji being utilized for trafficking illegal drugs, particularly as the Pacific acts as a crucial transit route for narcotics moving from South America and Southeast Asia to Australian and New Zealand markets.
Syndicates from Southeast Asia often move meth through the Pacific, making Fiji a preferred entry point due to its strategic location, sizable population, and economic factors. Different routes are taken for cocaine from South America, with drugs entering through various trafficking channels directed towards Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations.
Recent investigations have revealed sophisticated methods used by drug traffickers, including the utilization of grid coordinates and satellite phones for identifying pickup locations outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone to evade local maritime monitoring. These traffickers often smuggle drugs by air, sea, and even through human carriers, with yachts and boats being the primary means for transport.
In December, a notable drug operation in Nadi showcased the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug network. Authorities seized 4.15 tonnes of meth imported via a hired barge that docked at one of the local marinas. Preparations for the shipment took place months in advance, involving intricate planning and coordination among unidentified individuals who utilized various means for communication, including satellite phones, to navigate.
Local operatives, including sex workers and young individuals referred to as “foot soldiers,” facilitate these operations, often unaware of the larger criminal frameworks at play. Investigations have linked the movements of substantial drug quantities to networks involving local businesspeople, who may partake in the transportation and concealment processes, sometimes inadvertently.
Law enforcement has focused on dismantling these local networks, but officials indicate that only mid-tier operatives have been apprehended following the recent drug busts, leaving higher-level players, associated with the orchestration of these vast drug shipments, untouched and actively operating within the shadows of the criminal ecosystem.