Fiji’s geographic location, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, has made it a strategic transit hub for international drug cartels and syndicates smuggling illegal drugs into Australia and New Zealand. Cartels have established networks across the Pacific, particularly in Fiji and Tonga, prompting concerns from police and transnational crime experts about the growing influence and tactics of these groups as authorities intensify their efforts against drug-related activities.
Beyond merely being a transit point for drug shipments, Fiji is now witnessing local production of methamphetamine, frequently referred to as meth or ice, which is being manufactured for sale. Police have conducted raids on residences where equipment for meth cooking has been found, identifying known hotspots of meth use within the community.
In an operation earlier this year, police confiscated drug-making apparatus from a shipment that had arrived from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi. The country serves as a crucial route for drugs trafficked from South America and Southeast Asia to markets in Australia and New Zealand, given its strategic positioning and substantial population.
According to experts, meth produced by syndicates in Southeast Asia often passes through Fiji due to its favorable location. Different trafficking routes exist for drugs such as those from Mexico or cocaine from South America, as they also make their way to Fiji before reaching their final destinations. Authorities note that local drug syndicates may adapt familiar methods utilized by international cartels to fit their operations within the Pacific region.
The movement of illicit drugs often goes unnoticed, as traffickers typically use yachts, boats, and other small vessels to drop off significant quantities of drugs in locations either within or outside Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to evade local maritime oversight. Once the drugs arrive, local networks, which may include various operatives from different backgrounds, manage the distribution and transportation within Fiji.
Recent drug raids in Nadi reveal the complexity of the local drug network. On December 23 of last year, authorities intercepted a significant meth shipment that had arrived via a hired barge at a well-known marina. The planning for this operation began months in advance.
During the investigation, it was determined that the meth had been brought in using a superyacht staffed by unidentified individuals. This arrangement involved multiple trips to retrieve the drugs, with considerable coordination among those involved, including communication facilitated by satellite phones.
Subsequent flights and transfers of the drugs within Fiji resulted in seizures totaling over 4 tons, split between various locations in Nadi. Local networks facilitated the movement and storage of drugs using rental vehicles and specific communication apps.
Following these drug busts, authorities arrested only mid-tier operatives, raising questions regarding the absence of higher-level players who control these significant operations. Experts highlight that a broader scope of investigation may be necessary to apprehend those strategically orchestrating the drug trade within the region.