A second shipment of illegal drugs was expected to pass through Fiji in February, following the undetected arrival of 4.15 tonnes of meth from a yacht to Nadi in January. Sources connected to the recent drug bust revealed that the planned quantity for February was anticipated to be similar to the earlier seizure.
A Lebanese-Australian individual, whose name has not been disclosed, is believed to be the key figure orchestrating the transportation of drugs from the sea to Nadi. He has already indicated the pickup location for this subsequent shipment. This individual owns various properties in Fiji, including a fitness center.
It is reported that he provided specific coordinates for the pickup to a local business associate, also unnamed, who had a prior relationship with him, established months prior to the initial drug shipment. This local associate was instrumental in facilitating the earlier transport of the 4.15 tonnes of meth from sea to land.
The anticipated pickup site for the new shipment is reportedly of similar distance to Rotuma Island, which poses challenges for the barge captain responsible for the operation. Police have followed up on these coordinates, but there have been changes in the shipment plan due to the previous drug seizure.
Despite the seizure of the meth, the Lebanese-Australian reportedly left Fiji for Australia around the time of the bust. The drugs were headed to Australia, which is a lucrative market for methamphetamine.
In recent drug raids conducted by the police in Nadi, a total of 4.15 tonnes of meth, valued at around $2 billion, were intercepted. Some of the confiscated drugs were intended for distribution within Fiji as well. Within a week, police conducted raids in Legalega and Maqalevu, resulting in the seizure of 3.1 tonnes of meth from a construction site and 1.05 tonnes from another location.
Following these operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Livai Driu noted a 37% increase in drug-related arrests in Fiji, with a total of 1,105 cases recorded in the past seven months, compared to 805 cases in the same timeframe the previous year. The drugs that were seized are currently stored at a police facility, pending court decisions regarding their destruction.
This is a developing story involving the ongoing investigation into drug movements in the region.