Fiji’s strategic location in the Pacific Ocean makes it a major transit point for drug cartels transporting illegal substances to Australia and New Zealand. The presence of established networks among these cartels in nearby Pacific nations like Fiji and Tonga further exacerbates the situation. Law enforcement and transnational crime experts have raised concerns over the growing influence and tactics of these drug syndicates as authorities ramp up their efforts to combat illegal activities.
Beyond serving as a transit hub, Fiji has seen a rise in local production of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, as residents seek quick financial gains. Police have conducted raids in various locations where equipment for meth production was confiscated, and they have identified areas with high meth usage.
In July, authorities confiscated drug production equipment shipped from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi, intended for the manufacture of illicit drugs. Currently, police are monitoring two known criminal syndicates that produce their own meth while also importing drugs from abroad, with another syndicate solely focused on receiving shipments.
The cartels involved have operated in Fiji for more than a decade. Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert focused on the Pacific and Southeast Asia, suggested that individuals in influential positions may be complicit, stating that high-ranking members of government and law enforcement often facilitate drug movements, adversely impacting local communities.
As part of an ongoing investigation into Fiji’s meth crisis, authorities have examined the transshipment methods for the significant amounts of drugs entering the country and their eventual distribution.
The Pacific serves as a crucial trafficking route for drugs from South America and Southeast Asia aimed at Australian and New Zealand markets, with Fiji being favorably positioned due to its population and economic stature. Different trafficking pathways are utilized for drugs produced in Southeast Asia and Mexico, with local authorities noting the need for improved detection capabilities against repackaged illicit shipments.
The organized drug trafficking networks operating in Fiji enable large quantities of illegal drugs to be moved undetected. Sophisticated strategies, such as using satellite phones and grid coordinates for logistical planning, play a crucial role in avoiding local maritime surveillance and implementing smuggling operations by air and sea.
In December 2023, several drug busts in Nadi unveiled the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug network, revealing a well-coordinated operation that included preparation and planning well ahead of the drugs’ arrival. Significant quantities of meth were brought into the country through hired vessels and the involvement of local operatives who facilitated the process.
The illegal activities not only highlight the involvement of local business figures but also the alarming connections to higher-level crime syndicates that control these operations. Despite the recent enforcement actions resulting in arrests, experts emphasize that those truly orchestrating the drug trade remain untouched, allowing the system to persist with regards to drug trafficking and related crimes.