Fiji’s geographic position in the Pacific Ocean has turned it into a strategic hub for international drug cartels and syndicates seeking to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia and New Zealand. Established networks link Fiji with areas like Tonga, making the island nation a pivotal point for drug trafficking.
Local law enforcement and experts on transnational crime express concern over the presence of both local and foreign drug syndicates in Fiji. They predict that these groups will grow bolder as authorities intensify their efforts against illegal drug activities. Beyond being a transit point, Fiji has seen an alarming rise in domestic drug production, particularly methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice, which is being produced locally for quick profit.
Recent police operations have uncovered significant meth production activities, including a raid on a house where drug manufacturing equipment was found. In July, authorities seized a shipment from Canada containing tools intended for illicit drug production in Nadi. Investigations reveal at least two organized crime groups are both producing meth locally and importing drugs from abroad, while a third group focuses solely on receiving shipments.
Transnational crime expert Jose Sousa-Santos claims that these cartels have operated in Fiji for over a decade, attributing their endurance to the involvement of influential figures in government and law enforcement. According to Sousa-Santos, elements within the elite are complicit in facilitating drug trafficking, thereby exacerbating the drug problem in Fijian communities.
This article continues the investigation of Fiji’s meth crisis, uncovering the paths that substantial quantities of meth take to reach the local market. The Pacific region acts as a crucial transit zone for drugs trafficked from South America and Southeast Asia to the markets of Australia and New Zealand. Fiji’s location makes it an optimal stopover for drug shipments due to its economic size and population.
Drugs sourced from Southeast Asia typically navigate through Fiji, while substances like meth from Mexico or cocaine from South America adopt alternative routes, often involving points in Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations.
Experts emphasize the necessity for the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority to enhance its detection capabilities, particularly regarding drugs being concealed within other goods for export.
With established cartel networks that span the Pacific, drug traffickers can transport large quantities of illegal substances into Australia and New Zealand without detection. Techniques such as using grid coordinates and satellite communication help traffickers identify discreet pickup points located beyond Fiji’s economic exclusion zone, minimizing the risk of local maritime surveillance.
Drug smuggling operations employ various methods, including air and sea transport, as well as human couriers. Investigations indicate that yachts and small boats are frequently used to deliver meth to Fiji, where local operatives facilitate the distribution and repackaging of the drugs within the community.
Recent drug busts in Nadi highlight the complexity of Fiji’s illicit drug networks. The seizure of 4.15 tonnes of meth resulted from a meticulously planned operation that began months in advance, involving foreign operatives coordinating with local criminals. Following the arrival of the drugs in December, local networks sprang into action, employing various methods to transport and distribute the substances.
Moreover, another trip to the yacht that delivered drugs happened soon after, involving a local who was unwittingly drawn into the operations, showcasing the involvement of unsuspecting individuals in these illicit activities.
Feedback indicates that individuals with business ties and local connections played a significant role in this operation, often without full awareness of the drug dealings they were involved in.
Finally, Mr. Sousa-Santos emphasized that, despite the arrests following the drug busts, only mid-tier operatives faced charges, leaving the high-level players who orchestrated these large-scale drug trafficking operations unscathed. He calls attention to the troubling reality that those truly controlling the drug flow in Fiji often remain untouched, posing a significant challenge for law enforcement.