The geographical location of Fiji, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, positions it as a significant hub for overseas drug cartels and syndicates that transport illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. The established networks across the Pacific, particularly in countries like Fiji and Tonga, facilitate this operation.
Transnational crime experts and police authorities are increasingly concerned about these drug syndicates, which encompass both local and international elements. They anticipate that as law enforcement intensifies its efforts against illegal activities, these syndicates will adapt and expand their tactics.
Beyond merely serving as a transit point, Fiji has seen local production of methamphetamine, also known as meth or ice, for sale to generate quick profits. Police have conducted raids in various homes where equipment used for meth production has been confiscated. Certain areas have been identified as hotspots for meth consumption.
In July, authorities seized drug production equipment from Canada in a warehouse in Nadi, which would have been utilized for illegal manufacturing. Currently, police are monitoring two criminal syndicates involved in meth production while also receiving shipments from abroad. Another syndicate operates solely by importing drugs without local production.
Although police have not disclosed the exact locations of meth labs, they are actively working to profile and dismantle these networks. Notably, two of these cartels have been operating in Fiji for 10 and 16 years respectively, raising questions about the factors that have enabled their endurance. Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert, suggests that involvement from influential individuals within government and law enforcement has played a crucial role.
The Pacific region serves as a vital transit route for drugs trafficked from South America and Southeast Asia, with Fiji being a preferred location due to its strategic position and economic stability. Meth produced by Southeast Asian syndicates typically passes through the Pacific, while drugs from South America follow different pathways before arriving in Fiji and Tonga.
Drug traffickers utilize advanced techniques such as grid coordinates and satellite phones, allowing them to evade local maritime surveillance. They often employ yachts and small boats to smuggle drugs into Fiji discreetly, after which local networks, including mid-tier operatives and “foot soldiers,” facilitate further distribution.
Recent drug raids in Nadi highlight the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug networks. Authorities uncovered 4.15 tonnes of meth that had been smuggled in using a hired barge. Extensive planning was evident, with preparations commencing months prior to the arrival of the substantial shipment. Communication among individuals involved in trafficking began well before the drugs reached Fiji.
Furthermore, it was revealed that multiple trips were made to and from a superyacht where drugs were stored before being transported to Nadi. The drugs were later hidden within the local community, utilizing various forms of transportation for distribution.
Despite the scale of operations, recent arrests have primarily targeted mid-tier operatives, leaving significant figures within the syndicates untouched. Sousa-Santos emphasized the need for continued investigation to reach those who orchestrate these large-scale drug movements, fueling concern over the deep-seated connections and influence these cartels have within the region.