The geographical positioning of Fiji, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, promotes it as a strategic hub for international drug cartels and syndicates aiming to smuggle illegal drugs into Australia and New Zealand. Criminal networks have cultivated operations in the Pacific region, particularly in Fiji and Tonga.
Law enforcement officials and transnational crime experts have expressed concern over both local and international drug syndicates, predicting that their methods and influence may intensify as authorities ramp up efforts to combat drug-related activities.
Fiji is emerging as more than a mere transit point for these illicit drug shipments. There is an alarming trend of local production of methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or ice, as residents seek quick financial gains. Police operations have uncovered makeshift meth labs and identified areas with a high prevalence of meth use.
In July, police intercepted equipment at a warehouse in Nadi that was imported from Canada, intended for drug manufacturing. This highlights Fiji’s role in the broader drug trafficking networks that target Australia and New Zealand.
The Pacific serves as a critical route for drugs originating from South America and Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian meth traffickers prefer Fiji due to its central location, sizeable population, and economic activity. In contrast, drugs from Mexico or cocaine from South America often use alternative routes through Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations.
Mr. Sousa-Santos stated that the tactics employed by these cartels are not novel; however, they are being adapted to fit the dynamics of the Pacific region. He emphasized the importance of vigilance from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority in identifying drugs hidden within legitimate goods.
Investigative findings reveal that seasoned trafficking networks employing advanced methods—such as grid coordinates and satellite phones—facilitate the clandestine movement of drugs beyond Fiji’s exclusive economic zone, evading local surveillance.
Drug traffickers use various transport modes, including air and sea routes, as well as human couriers. Findings suggest that yachts and small boats are primarily used for transporting significant quantities of meth into Fiji, where local networks, including opportunistic locals, sex workers, and mid-tier criminals, aid in further distribution.
The complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug networks was further illustrated by recent raids in Nadi, which uncovered 4.15 tonnes of meth. This shipment docked at a well-known marina, showcasing elaborate planning that commenced months prior to its arrival. Surveillance indicated that unidentified individuals conducted reconnaissance at various marinas, analyzing water depths and coordinating drug transfers from a superyacht.
Once the drugs landed in Fiji, they were divided and concealed, sometimes repackaged to evade detection. The authorities recovered significant quantities of meth from various locations linked to local criminal networks.
These networks employ various strategies to facilitate drug distribution, including utilizing rental vehicles and specific communication applications. Furthermore, the dynamics involving both local participants and more prominent international figures underscore the complexity of the trafficking operations.
While recent enforcement actions resulted in the arrest of several mid-tier operatives, leading figures orchestrating these extensive drug movements remain unaccounted for. Mr. Sousa-Santos noted that only those with lesser involvement have been apprehended, highlighting the challenges authorities face in targeting the higher echelons of organized crime responsible for billions of dollars in drug trafficking.