The Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Ratu Rakuita Vakalalabure, has emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive legislation to aid enforcement officers in tackling the illegal drug trade and supply in Fiji. During the opening of the Counter Narcotics Bureau Bill Workshop, he highlighted that the proposed Bill aims to address the current illicit drug situation in Fiji, with considerations for regional and global implications.
Vakalalabure pointed out the significant threat that illicit drug trafficking poses to the national security of Fiji, affecting families and communities alike. He noted that Fiji’s strategic location in the Pacific makes it an attractive target for drug trafficking organizations that seek to take advantage of local vulnerabilities.
The workshop will include a presentation on the structure of the Counter Narcotics Bureau and the outcome report from the legal review workshop scheduled for April 2024, which will focus on the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004, the Medicinal Products Act, and the Pharmaceutical Professions Act. It will also facilitate discussions on the future direction of the Counter Narcotics Bureau Bill.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the Counter Narcotics Bureau will spearhead the national initiative to disrupt and dismantle drug networks that jeopardize Fiji’s way of life. Vakalalabure stated that the Bureau will concentrate on breaking the cycle of illegal cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and exportation of drugs and psychotropic substances.
He emphasized that strong intelligence and enforcement measures will be crucial in the effective combat against drug trafficking. The Counter Narcotics Bureau Bill Workshop represents a government initiative aimed at reinforcing public trust in defense and security institutions, as well as ensuring the integrity of Fiji’s borders and security apparatus.