A second shipment of illegal drugs was anticipated to pass through Fiji in February this year, just two months after authorities intercepted 4.15 tonnes of meth that had arrived from a yacht in Nadi without detection. Sources close to the recent drug bust in Nadi revealed that the quantity of the February shipment was expected to be similar to the seized amount.
The mastermind behind the operation, a Lebanese-Australian individual whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly identified the pickup point for the second shipment and has connections in Fiji, owning multiple properties including a fitness center in Nadi. This individual provided coordinates for the drug pickup to a Fijian business associate, who was involved in the earlier meth shipment.
The pickup location for the upcoming shipment was described as being a distance comparable to that between Nadi and Rotuma Island, presenting logistical challenges for the barge captain tasked with retrieving the drugs. Although police action followed the provided coordinates, developments related to the earlier seizure of 4.15 tonnes of meth caused a re-routing of the planned operation.
Having previously relied on his local associate to successfully transport the initial drugs, the Lebanese-Australian had already departed Fiji for Australia by the time the police seized the narcotics. The drugs were intended for the Australian market, which offers high profits for methamphetamine.
In recent drug busts, local authorities seized 4.15 tonnes of meth valued at approximately $2 billion during a series of raids between January 14 and January 20. The operation culminated in the confiscation of 3.1 tonnes from a vacant construction site in Legalega and 1.05 tonnes from Maqalevu.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Livai Driu mentioned a significant rise in arrests following these busts, noting a 37 percent increase in drug-related arrests in the country. Over the past seven months, police have recorded 1,105 cases, compared to 805 during the same period last year. The seized drugs now await a court decision for their destruction.