Fiji’s geographical location, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant transit point for international drug cartels to traffic illegal substances into Australia and New Zealand. Established networks allow these criminal syndicates to operate effectively across the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga.
Law enforcement and experts in transnational crime express concern over the increasing tactics and influence of these drug syndicates, as they adapt to intensified crackdowns by authorities. However, Fiji is not just a transit hub; local individuals have begun manufacturing methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, for profit. Police operations have uncovered meth production labs and identified areas with high usage rates.
In July, authorities seized equipment in Nadi from a shipment that originated in Canada, intended for drug production. Currently, police are monitoring two known local syndicates that produce their own meth while receiving shipments from overseas, with a third group only importing drugs. Efforts are underway to uncover these operations and the identities of those involved.
Two specific cartels have maintained a presence in Fiji for over a decade. Experts suggest that high-ranking individuals in government and law enforcement may be facilitating drug movements, perpetuating the drug issue within local communities.
The Pacific serves as a primary route for drugs moving from South America and Southeast Asia to Australia and New Zealand’s markets. Fiji’s strategic location, populous nature, and economic status make it a favored stop for the transit of meth produced in Southeast Asia, as well as cocaine from South America. The tactics employed by these cartels have been adapted to fit the regional context.
Fijian authorities use various methods to monitor drug shipments, which often involve complex networks of local criminals, including “foot soldiers” who assist the larger operations. Investigations into a recent significant drug bust revealed a highly organized plan involving multiple trips and communications among conspirators over several months.
Details from the Nadi drugs raids indicate the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug network, showcasing a shipment of 4.15 tons of meth that arrived aboard a hired barge from a superyacht positioned outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone. The drugs were subsequently stored and distributed within Fiji, involving a range of local operatives who were sometimes unaware of the full extent of their participation in the distribution process.
The investigations have shown that those arrested following the drug busts have primarily been mid-tier operatives, rather than the high-level players orchestrating the operations. Experts warn that without addressing the systemic issues involving these high-profile figures, efforts to combat drug trafficking in Fiji may remain ineffective.