The monitoring of Fiji’s maritime borders faces significant challenges due to insufficient vessel tracking regulations, heightening the risk that the nation may be exploited as a hub for drug and human trafficking. Currently, vessels, including yachts and boats, can traverse Fiji’s waters without detection by local authorities, as maintaining an automatic identification system (AIS) is not mandatory. This system, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to track vessel movements within Fiji’s maritime boundaries, is not widely adhered to.
Annually, it is estimated that between 700 and 800 yachts visit Fiji. The extensive traffic in and out of Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), combined with limited monitoring resources, complicates national border security efforts. The recent drug seizure in Nadi underscores how criminal organizations take advantage of Fiji’s resource limitations to operate through its ports and marinas, moving substantial quantities of methamphetamine worth billions.
In an earlier incident, authorities seized 4.15 tonnes of meth in Nadi, which had arrived via a yacht that docked in Yasawa waters before its cargo was transferred to a marina in Nadi. Over the past five years, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has recorded 47 drug detections at the border. Commodore Humphrey Tawake, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division, emphasized that drug trafficking risks extend throughout all of Fiji and that criminals operate with sophisticated strategies akin to commercial enterprises.
As investigations into the methamphetamine issue continue, there is a focus on the risks presented by maritime borders, yachting activities, and the effectiveness of local authorities in monitoring visiting vessels against illegal drug activities.
Yachts and small crafts have long been implicated in smuggling prohibited goods, with a notable incident in 2018 when authorities discovered over US$10 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy on an Australian couple’s yacht at Port Denarau. Their suspicious travel path from the United States to Nadi raised alarms among local officials. Additionally, that same year, bricks of cocaine washed ashore on several islands in the Lau Group.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free World Fiji, highlighted concerns about exploitation, where foreign yachts allegedly traffick local girls from the outer islands for dubious activities. Commodore Tawake noted that the increasing number of visiting vessels is concerning, especially when they operate outside the designated yachting season from May to October, raising suspicion over unusual migration patterns.
Foreign vessels entering Fiji must notify the FRCS in advance and undergo official clearance at designated ports. They are required to complete a detailed C2-C form declaring their onboard stores, crew members, origin, destination, and intended stay duration. This information is vital for authorities, especially when it comes to identifying potential vessels that pose risks based on their travel history.
Vessels in Fiji waters are subject to spontaneous searches by border security officials. Some sailors have reported increasing intrusive search practices, prompting concerns over damage and the handling of personal belongings. Recent joint operations by various law enforcement agencies led to the seizure of undeclared alcohol from a foreign-flagged vessel.
The FRCS emphasizes the need for accurate declarations from vessel operators, while community surveillance remains crucial for reporting suspicious activities. The FRCS operates a Coastal Watch Programme in partnership with maritime communities to detect and address potential illegal actions. The cruising permits issued to vessels further contribute to monitoring compliance with maritime laws.
Commodore Tawake insists on the necessity for law enforcement to maintain a stronger presence in coastal communities to encourage reporting of any unusual activities.