An intelligence officer’s integrity is crucial for maintaining the efficacy of counter-narcotics operations, according to Amit Chand, a consultant at the Office of the National Security Assessments. He emphasized that organizations often fall short in ensuring the credibility of their personnel, particularly in high-stakes environments where standard policing measures are insufficient.
Speaking at a recent discussion on the Counter Narcotics Bill in Suva, Chand pointed out that hiring uncorrupted individuals is essential to prevent the pervasive issue of bribery, which can undermine entire agencies dedicated to narcotics control. In a small nation like Fiji, cartels are known to invest extensively in resources like “narco-subs,” making it easy for them to corrupt a handful of key officials.
Chand raised concerns about the potential consequences of having even a few corrupt insiders within intelligence operations. He warned that such individuals could leak sensitive intelligence to drug syndicates, which could compromise investigations and allow criminal enterprises to flourish. He stressed the importance of intensively vetting employees for the new Counter Narcotics Bureau, insisting that tackling narcotics should not fall solely on police forces but requires cooperation among Customs, the Navy, and Military Intelligence.
Chand argued for a crucial shift in priorities, urging institutions to focus on national security rather than political interests. He also addressed how the Bail Act of 2002 sometimes allows high-risk accused persons to be released, leading to opportunities for evidence tampering and witness intimidation. Chand highlighted the case of a prominent lawyer repeatedly apprehended for drug offenses who remains on bail, advocating for reforms that would classify drug-related offenses as non-bailable to enhance deterrence and accountability.
While recognizing that legal professionals may have differing views, Chand maintained that clear consequences for drug syndicates must be communicated through public forums. He believes that tougher prosecution, combined with legislative changes, could significantly strengthen the fight against drug trafficking and related corruption. His assertions call for an urgent reevaluation of policies and practices designed to safeguard national security and public safety.
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