Monitoring Fiji’s extensive maritime borders remains a challenge due to weak vessel tracking regulations, which heightens the country’s susceptibility to being a transit point for drug and human trafficking. Currently, vessels such as yachts and boats can navigate Fiji’s waters without detection from local authorities.
There is no requirement for vessels to have an automatic identification system (AIS), a tracking mechanism that had been introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in monitoring vessel movements within Fiji’s maritime regions. It is estimated that between 700 and 800 yachts visit Fiji annually. The significant movement of these vessels within Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) coupled with inadequate resources for consistent monitoring of vast ocean areas complicates border security efforts.
A recent drug seizure in Nadi exemplifies how criminal networks can exploit Fiji’s limited resources to utilize its ports and marinas for the transit of substantial quantities of methamphetamine valued at billions of dollars. Earlier this year, 4.15 tonnes of meth seized in Nadi had arrived on a yacht, which docked in Yasawa waters before the drugs were transferred to a marina in Nadi.
Over the past five years, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) reported 47 instances of illicit drug detections at the border. Commodore Humphrey Tawake, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division, remarked that the notion that scattered island groups are high-risk areas for drug trafficking underestimates the situation. He emphasized that criminal enterprises operate with considerable sophistication, likening their operations to commercial businesses.
As investigations into the methamphetamine issue in Fiji continue, authorities are examining the maritime border risks, the yachting scene, and the role of local agencies in overseeing visiting vessels to prevent illegal drug activity.
Yachts and small boats have long been implicated in smuggling drugs into Fiji. In 2018, authorities discovered over US$10 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy aboard the yacht of an Australian couple in Port Denarau. The yacht’s suspicious travel route from the United States to Nadi raised alarms among local officials. That same year, bricks of cocaine also washed ashore on several islands in the Lau Group.
Kalesi Volatabu, the founder of Drug Free World Fiji, mentioned cases where yachts exploited locals in remote islands for trafficking purposes. She highlighted an incident involving girls being taken from the Lau Group and used for sex and parties before being returned home.
Commodore Tawake pointed out that the rising presence of these vessels is worrisome, particularly when they operate outside the conventional yachting season from May to October. Although some yacht operators may choose to cruise during off-peak times, it raises suspicions if their movement patterns deviate from the norm. Most yachts visiting Fiji typically come from Europe, the United States, Australia, or New Zealand, and their travel routes can provide critical insights for authorities.
Vessels in Fiji’s waters are subject to searches at any time. Recently, some sailors reported that large groups of border security officials conducted routine checks, affecting boats that had just arrived as well as those that had been in the region for some time. Port Denarau Marina CEO Cynthia Rasch noted an increase in such searches, which can sometimes lead to unsatisfactory experiences for sailors. Complaints include damage to vessels during searches and concerns over intrusive searching practices.
Acting Police Commissioner Livai Driu warned vessel owners about upcoming random checks and urged operators to adhere to maritime laws. Viki Moore, director of the Island Cruising Pacific Rally, expressed concern that negative experiences reported by sailors could potentially harm Fiji’s reputation as a yachting destination.
To enter Fiji, foreign vessels must inform the FRCS of their arrival in advance and go through designated ports for clearance. They are required to fill out a comprehensive form detailing their onboard supplies, crew members, origin, destination, and intended stay duration.
The FRCS employs a flagging system to assess vessels, with red flags leading to more thorough searches. Communities play a vital role in reporting suspicious activities, with the FRCS working closely with coastal villages to monitor potential illegal activities. Boats obtaining cruising permits from the iTaukei Affairs Board also signify clearance to navigate Fijian waters.
Commodore Tawake stressed the need for law enforcement to increase their presence in communities, encouraging locals to report any suspicious activities.