The newly published National Security and Defence Review Report indicates that Fiji has evolved from being a transit zone for transnational organized crime to now serving as a destination for such activities.
Released this week, the report outlines several factors that have contributed to this shift in Fiji’s role within the drug trade. Key issues include a compromised security sector, inadequate border controls, and the rising affordability of drugs, some of which contain dangerous additives like fentanyl.
The report suggests that the lucrative nature of drug trafficking to high-demand markets such as Australia and New Zealand has allowed local criminal organizations to prosper. They are now pursuing profits through local sales in addition to trafficking and extortion fees, thereby straining Fiji’s fragile security infrastructure.
It notes that the profitability of drugs is so substantial that even if just 10 percent of the supply reaches its intended destination, it creates significant earnings. Consequently, the remaining 90 percent that may be diverted at transit points, including Fiji, has led to an increasing local demand and further involvement of youth and vulnerable populations in the drug trade.
Furthermore, the report identifies challenges within Fiji’s security agencies, such as low morale and insufficient salaries, which create an environment conducive to bribery. Limited personnel and resources also hinder effective monitoring of illegal activities at the border.
Concerns are raised regarding a rise in human trafficking, particularly from South Asia, with reports of interference within the Department of Immigration, including inappropriate requests for expedited visa processing. The lack of coordinated information sharing among government entities and with regional and international partners further compromises border security.
Additionally, while no instances of weapons trafficking have been detected, the review warns that international criminal organizations often engage in arms smuggling as a means to protect their illicit operations, presenting another potential threat to Fiji’s national security.
The government is urged to tackle these challenges by enhancing border security, refining customs and immigration operations, and fostering greater international collaboration. The report also emphasizes the significant role that faith-based organizations and youth support initiatives could play in mitigating social harm, aiding drug addicts in recovery, and bolstering prevention strategies.
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