The challenge of monitoring Fiji’s extensive maritime borders is heightened by the country’s insufficient vessel tracking regulations, making it increasingly susceptible to being used as a transit point for drug and human trafficking. Currently, boats and yachts can traverse Fiji’s borders without detection from local authorities.
It is not a requirement for vessels to have an automatic identification system (AIS) on board, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist in tracking movements within Fiji’s maritime boundaries. An estimated 700 to 800 yachts visit Fiji annually.
The substantial movement of yachts and small crafts within Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), coupled with a lack of resources to consistently monitor thousands of kilometers of ocean, creates significant challenges for national border security.
The recent seizure of drugs in Nadi illustrates how criminal organizations can exploit Fiji’s limited resources and use local marinas and ports to transport large quantities of methamphetamine valued in the billions. Earlier this year, 4.15 tonnes of meth was seized in Nadi after arriving by yacht and being moved to a marina via a hired barge.
Over the past five years, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has documented 47 cases of illicit drug detection at the border. Commodore Humphrey Tawake of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division emphasized that the perception that isolated island groups are hotspots for drug trafficking greatly underestimates the problem, stating, “The whole of Fiji is all equal and the same.”
Inspections into the methamphetamine crisis in Fiji will look at maritime border risks, yachting activities, and how local authorities are monitoring visiting yachts to prevent illegal drug trade.
Yachts and small vessels have long been linked to smuggling drugs and other banned goods into the country. In 2018, authorities uncovered over US$10 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy on an Australian couple’s yacht at Port Denarau, raising red flags due to its suspicious journey from the United States and through South America.
Moreover, bricks of cocaine were found washed ashore on various islands in the Lau Group that same year. Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free World Fiji, reported that yachts have been known to exploit local residents in the outer islands, noting instances where girls from the Lau Group were trafficked by yacht operators.
Commodore Tawake raised concerns about the growing number of vessels, particularly those active outside the yachting season from May to October, with some sailors opting to stay long after the peak period. The route a yacht takes to Fiji can provide important intelligence to authorities.
In Fiji’s waters, vessels are subject to searches at any time. Recently, some sailors reported that groups of border security officials thoroughly searched multiple boats both upon arrival and after they had already been in Fiji for a while, raising concerns about the invasive nature of these checks.
Criticisms have emerged regarding the way searches are conducted, with some sailors claiming damages and seeking compensation from FRCS. In light of recent joint operations by various agencies leading to the seizure of undeclared items, police are warning vessel owners that random inspections are to be expected and urging compliance with maritime laws.
FRCS requires that foreign vessels notify relevant authorities of their arrival in advance and seek clearance at designated ports before entering Fijian waters. Yachts must complete a joint C2-C form detailing their onboard stores, crew, origins, and intended duration of stay.
The marinas play a vital role in reporting any suspicious activity, as border security agencies regularly conduct joint maritime searches. FRCS has established a Coastal Watch Programme, which collaborates with coastal communities to monitor for unusual occurrences.
Vessels granted permission to cruise in Fijian waters must obtain a cruising permit from the iTaukei Affairs Board. Commodore Tawake believes a larger law enforcement presence in the communities of these islands is essential for encouraging the reporting of suspicious actions.