A concerning new trend in drug trafficking has emerged in Fiji, where traffickers are impersonating pastors and elderly women to evade border officials. The Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, noted that this tactic has presented a significant challenge for law enforcement and border security personnel.
Tikoduadua highlighted that these traffickers often enter the country through international airports, disguising themselves to carry drugs unnoticed. “Some of them portray themselves as a pastor or an old woman to exploit the situation,” he explained. “They constantly change their appearances, and we must ensure that we apprehend them.”
The Minister praised the efforts of Fiji’s border protection officials who work tirelessly to combat drug trafficking. He emphasized that the national action plan against drugs requires a collective effort, urging the public to participate actively. “This responsibility is not solely on the police or business owners; everyone has a role to play in this fight,” he added.