Fiji’s strategic location in the Pacific makes it a prime transit point for international drug cartels and syndicates trafficking illegal substances to Australia and New Zealand. Law enforcement and transnational crime experts are increasingly worried about the influence of these drug syndicates, which operate both locally and internationally, particularly as authorities intensify their crackdown on illicit activities.
While Fiji is often viewed merely as a transit hub for drugs, it has also seen local production of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth or ice. Police have intercepted apparatus used for meth production in various raids and identified several hotspots for meth use within the country.
Earlier this year, police seized equipment intended for producing drugs from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi. Authorities are aware of at least two local criminal syndicates actively producing meth while also receiving shipments from abroad, in addition to a third group that only receives drugs.
The continued presence of these syndicates in Fiji, some for over a decade, raises questions about their longevity. Jose Sousa-Santos, a transnational crime expert for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, suggests that high-ranking individuals within the government and law enforcement may be complicit, thereby facilitating drug trafficking and its impact on local communities.
The complex dynamics of drug trafficking through Fiji involve large quantities of meth flowing from South America and Southeast Asia to Australian and New Zealand markets. Fiji acts as a significant transit point due to its population density and economic stature. Drugs, including meth from Southeast Asia and cocaine from South America, are transported via various routes, often utilizing yachts and small craft to evade detection.
Investigations show that traffickers utilize advanced methods, including grid coordinates and satellite communication, to arrange pickups often conducted outside of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone, thereby escaping maritime surveillance. Once drugs reach Fiji, local networks composed of various operatives assist in distribution.
Recent drug raids in Nadi revealed the intricate network involved in trafficking. A significant quantity of meth was brought to shore using a hired barge that docked at a local marina. The operation involved detailed planning, including reconnaissance of marina depths and coordinated movements between unidentified individuals and local operatives.
The captured drugs were hidden in a vacant house and an apartment, demonstrating how local businesses were unknowingly drawn into the drug trade. The distribution methods utilized local rental vehicles, along with encrypted communication apps among networks involved in the trafficking.
Local gangs and operatives, often referred to as “foot soldiers,” manage the ground-level operations of the drug trade, which is also interconnected with other criminal activities such as human trafficking. Sousa-Santos noted that the recent drug busts led to arrests of only mid-tier operatives, rather than those orchestrating the larger operations and money flows, highlighting the complex hierarchy supporting these illegal activities.
Despite efforts to dismantle the networks, Sousa-Santos argues that significant players high in the drug trade remain untouchable, suggesting a systemic issue that complicates law enforcement’s fight against drug trafficking in Fiji.