Fiji’s geographic location, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant hub for international cartels and syndicates transporting illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. This issue is exacerbated by established cartel networks throughout the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga.
Authorities, including police and transnational crime experts, express concern over both local and foreign drug syndicates. As law enforcement intensifies its efforts to combat drug-related activities, these groups are expected to adapt their strategies and expand their influence.
However, Fiji is not just a transit point; it is witnessing local production of methamphetamine, colloquially referred to as meth or ice. Law enforcement has conducted raids on residences, confiscating equipment used in meth production. Certain areas within Fiji are identified as hotspots for meth usage.
In July, police uncovered drug manufacturing equipment imported from Canada at a Nadi warehouse, intended for local illicit activities. Additionally, a significant haul of 4.15 tonnes of meth was traced to its passage to Viti Levu.
The Pacific serves as a crucial route for drugs smuggled from South America and Southeast Asia to Australian and New Zealand markets. Meth from Southeast Asian syndicates often passes through Fiji due to its strategic position and economic factors. Other drugs, such as cocaine from South America or meth from Mexico, take varied routes before reaching Fiji and Tonga.
According to crime expert Mr. Sousa-Santos, the cartels are adapting their methods to suit the Pacific context. He emphasizes the importance of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority in identifying drugs concealed within other goods for export.
The complexity of Fiji’s drug networks is illustrated by various police operations in Nadi. A recent investigation revealed that a substantial quantity of meth was brought in via a hired barge at a well-known marina. Planning for this operation took place months prior, with individuals scouting locations and coordinating pick-up points using satellite technology.
Drug traffickers utilize various methods, including air and sea transport, as well as human carriers. Typically, yachts and small boats are employed to discreetly offload large quantities of meth within and beyond Fiji’s exclusive economic zone, allowing them to evade detection.
Upon arriving in Fiji, local networks, consisting of sex workers and other individuals, assist in further distributing the drugs. Investigations revealed that local operatives used rental vehicles and specific communication apps to facilitate the movement and repackaging of drugs, including disguising some of them as kava products.
The operations around Nadi highlight the intricate planning involved in smuggling, with multiple trips made to retrieve drugs from a superyacht off the coast. Various individuals participated, often without full awareness of the illicit activities at play.
Authorities have pointed out that mid-tier operatives were mainly arrested during recent drug busts, while those orchestrating the larger operations remain elusive. Mr. Sousa-Santos noted that only individuals with less significant roles were apprehended, highlighting the challenges in capturing those at the top of the food chain within these networks.