Concerns regarding Fiji’s ports of entry being utilized as transit points for drug traffickers have existed for decades. On March 12, 1984, The Fiji Times reported comments from New Zealand drug detection expert Inspector Wally Hayes during a training session in Suva focused on drug detection and recognition. This week-long program was organized by the United Nations for the training of police, Customs, and Immigration officials.
Inspector Hayes highlighted the issue of the national airport being exploited as a transit hub for drug couriers. He noted that there was little attention given to transit passengers, who were likely smuggling drugs from regions like the West Coast of the United States and Southeast Asia to destinations such as Australia and New Zealand.
He stressed the importance of cooperation among authorities to combat illegal drug trafficking. “Unless the Fiji police, Customs, and Immigration authorities have solid information, it is challenging for them to take effective action,” he expressed to the participants. He underscored that police and Customs need to share all relevant information they acquire.
Inspector Hayes also pointed out that while the level of drug detection in Fiji was limited, the officials were capable of managing drug-related incidents. He remarked on the general public’s apathy towards drug issues, stating, “An average person on the street does not really want to know about drugs, but when their sons and daughters are involved, then it’s different.”
He was joined by Detective Inspector Govind Raju from Lautoka and Chiefs Customs Officer Robert Raylor from the National Drug Intelligence Bureau in Wellington, New Zealand.