The challenge of monitoring Fiji’s vulnerable maritime borders is intensified by the country’s inadequate vessel tracking regulations, heightening the risks of Fiji becoming a transit point for drugs and human trafficking. Currently, vessels such as yachts and boats can traverse Fiji’s borders without detection from local authorities.
It is not compulsory for vessels to have an automatic identification system (AIS) on board, which was implemented during COVID-19 to help monitor vessel movements within Fiji’s maritime borders. Annually, it is estimated that between 700 and 800 yachts visit Fiji.
The extensive traffic of yachts and small crafts entering and exiting Fiji’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), coupled with limited resources to monitor vast ocean expanses, creates significant challenges for national border security efforts. Recent drug seizures serve as a stark indication of how criminal syndicates may exploit Fiji’s struggling resources to use its marinas and ports for the transit of large quantities of methamphetamine valued in the billions.
In an earlier feature, it was reported that 4.15 tonnes of meth seized in Nadi earlier this year had arrived from abroad on a yacht. This vessel docked in Yasawa waters before the drugs were transferred via a hired barge to a marina in Nadi.
Over the past five years, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has identified 47 instances of illicit drug trafficking at the border. Commodore Humphrey Tawake, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Naval Division, asserted that the notion that scattered island groups are high-risk areas for drug activities is an oversimplification. He emphasized that all of Fiji must be considered equally at risk, as criminal organizations often operate like businesses, engaging in multiple activities simultaneously.
Investigations into the methamphetamine issue continue, focusing on the maritime risks surrounding Fiji, yachting activities, and the role of local authorities in overseeing visiting yachts to deter illegal drug operations.
Yachts and small vessels have a long history of being suspected of smuggling drugs and other contraband into Fiji. In 2018, authorities discovered over US$10 million worth of cocaine and ecstasy onboard the yacht of an Australian couple at Port Denarau, raising alarms due to its suspicious journey from the United States through South America and French Polynesia.
Additionally, that same year, bricks of cocaine washed up on various islands in the Lau Group. Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free World Fiji, mentioned that there are reports of yachts taking advantage of locals in outer islands. She cited instances of girls being trafficked from the Lau Group to various islands for exploitation.
Commodore Tawake cited concerns about the rising number of yachts operating outside the typical yachting season, which runs from May to October. While some yacht operators may choose to cruise outside this timeline, it raises suspicions due to unusual migration patterns.
Yachts from Europe, the United States, Australia, or New Zealand providing information about their journeys to Fiji is crucial for local authorities to monitor. Commodore Tawake underscored the importance of tracking the travel history of vessels arriving from regions with heightened risks.
Within Fiji’s waters, vessels can be thoroughly searched by authorities. Recent reports from anonymous sailors indicate that large groups of border security officials have been conducting searches on numerous boats that have just arrived or have been in Fiji for some time. While these searches were described as routine rather than suspicious, there have been complaints about the invasive nature of the inspections, leading to damage to vessels.
Acting Police Commissioner Operations Livai Driu warned vessel owners about random checks and encouraged compliance with maritime regulations. Concerns have been raised regarding the impact of intrusive searches on the yachting industry, particularly in places like Savusavu, which is striving to develop its tourism sector.
Foreign vessels entering Fiji are required to notify authorities in advance and must proceed to designated Ports of Entry for clearance. Yachts must submit a 13-page C2-C form, detailing onboard supplies, crew members, origin, and intended duration of stay in Fiji.
Approval for entry necessitates further clearance procedures at marinas across the country, where customs and border security agencies operate. Reports indicate a flag alert system categorizing vessels based on compliance, with those raising multiple red flags facing thorough inspections.
Marinas play a crucial role in monitoring potentially illegal activities, as border security agencies frequently collaborate in maritime patrols and searches. The Coastal Watch Programme enables FRCS to work with maritime communities to report suspicious activities effectively. Boats that are granted a cruising permit, issued by the iTaukei Affairs Board, can navigate through Fijian waters, further enhancing surveillance.
Commodore Tawake advocated for increased law enforcement presence in these communities to encourage reporting of suspicious behavior.