Fiji faces the looming threat of becoming a ‘semi-narco state’ as it grapples with a rising methamphetamine crisis. Transnational crime expert Jose Sousa-Santos warns that this escalation could lead to increased influence from cartels and criminal syndicates operating in Southeast Asia and beyond.
The impact of this drug issue will not be limited to urban areas on the main island of Viti Levu; even remote regions like the Lau Group, home to numerous international yacht visitors, are at risk. The geographical layout of Lau, combined with weak security checks at key boarding points such as wharves and domestic flight terminals, makes it vulnerable to the influx of white drugs. Reports indicate that drug trade activities are already occurring, with marijuana being exchanged for methamphetamine on Moala island.
Concern surrounds the young population in these islands, evidenced by increasing drug use, high school dropout rates, and rising alcohol consumption. Sousa-Santos emphasized that the profitable nature of the illegal drug trade creates a sustainable market that supports local traffickers. “Fiji is at risk now,” he stated, indicating that the financial rewards involved are keeping these trade operations alive.
Previous investigations highlighted that multiple criminal syndicates have operated in Fiji for over a decade, partly due to complicity from local business elites. The worrying rise in drug trafficking, particularly meth, has become more evident, as demonstrated by significant drug seizures earlier this year—an alarming indication of a previously undisclosed level of meth trafficking in the country.
As this investigative series concludes, experts are reflecting on the social repercussions of meth trafficking on local communities. Notably, Sousa-Santos pointed out that just three or four years ago, the public was largely unaware of meth’s potential impact on Fijian society, including risks associated with intravenous drug use and trafficking in sex and humans.
The tactics deployed by drug syndicates are expected to evolve, potentially adopting hybrid strategies seen in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Sousa-Santos cautioned that if law enforcement and the Fijian government do not adapt to these changing tactics, they may fall behind.
The situation is becoming increasingly dire, particularly among Fiji’s youth, as meth has overtaken cannabis as the leading substance of abuse at St Giles Psychiatric Hospital in Suva. Medical Superintendent Dr. Balram Pandit reported that the hospital is now treating a significant number of young male patients for meth dependence, with the youngest being just 17 years old. The hospital employs drug treatments, therapy, and counseling, emphasizing the importance of patient motivation in recovery.
The meth trade is also destabilizing traditional village structures in the Lau Group, which is already dealing with issues related to marijuana use. Sousa-Santos noted that local gangs are increasingly undermining these communities, leading to a rise in domestic violence and human trafficking, both within Fiji and beyond.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug-Free World Fiji, expressed her concerns about the lack of dedicated facilities for substance abuse treatment, noting an overwhelming demand for help. While many individuals remain fearful of repercussions, there are also community members willing to push back against the grip of illicit drugs.
Ultimately, the rising demand for meth and other illicit substances is contributing to an ongoing cycle of addiction and crime in Fiji, with community members starting to resist and advocate for change. This marks the culmination of a six-part series investigating the methamphetamine crisis in Fiji.