Fiji’s geographical location in the Pacific Ocean makes it a strategic hub for international drug cartels and syndicates, facilitating the transit of illegal drugs to Australia and New Zealand. Cartels have established networks in the region, particularly in Fiji and Tonga, raising concerns among law enforcement and transnational crime experts who expect an increase in their influence as authorities intensify their efforts against illicit activities.
However, Fiji has evolved beyond a mere transit point for illicit drug shipments. Local production of methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or ice, is now prevalent, driven by individuals seeking quick financial gains. Police have conducted raids on homes and confiscated equipment used in meth production, identifying hotspots of meth use across the nation.
In a significant operation earlier this year, police seized a shipment of drug manufacturing equipment from Canada at a warehouse in Nadi, which was intended for local meth production. The Pacific serves as a key transit route for drugs flowing from South America and Southeast Asia to Australia and New Zealand markets, with Fiji acting as a primary node due to its favorable demographics and economic landscape.
Meth manufactured by Southeast Asian syndicates typically flows through Fiji, whereas drugs from Mexico and South American cocaine follow different trafficking paths, entering through Fiji and Tonga before reaching their final destinations. Experts highlight the need for vigilance from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority to intercept drugs that might be disguised within legal exports.
In July, police apprehended a consignment of equipment intended for meth production in Nadi. The operations of these drug networks are intricate, utilizing advanced technology for coordination. For instance, traffickers deploy grid coordinates and satellite phones for pickup points located beyond Fiji’s exclusive economic zone to avoid detection.
Investigations indicate that yachts and small boats are the primary means of smuggling large quantities of meth into Fiji. Upon arrival, local networks, often comprising vulnerable individuals, facilitate the distribution and storage of these drugs, as evidenced by recent seizures.
The complexities of Fiji’s illicit drug trade were highlighted by the seizure of 4.15 tons of meth transported to Nadi. This shipment involved meticulous planning, including scouting locations prior to the drugs’ arrival. Following the drug’s entry into Fiji, various local operatives became involved, some knowingly and others unwittingly, in the distribution process.
Subsequent drug-related activities and communication between operatives indicate an organized approach to moving the meth within Fiji, with careful arrangements in place for storage and distribution utilizing local businesses and rental properties.
While some local individuals became entangled in this network, often without full knowledge of the activities they were supporting, a hierarchy exists. Low-level operatives engage in violence and crime, while higher-level players remain insulated from prosecution.
Post-bust, only mid-tier operatives were arrested, leaving major figures in the drug trade untouched, suggesting a need for more comprehensive action against those orchestrating these operations at a higher level.