A new trend in drug trafficking has emerged in Fiji, with traffickers disguising themselves as pastors and elderly women to evade detection by border officers. Minister for Immigration and Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua highlighted this growing issue, noting that traffickers often transit through the country’s international airports carrying illegal substances.
“They assume various identities, such as a pastor or an elderly woman, to exploit the system,” Mr. Tikoduadua stated. He emphasized the need for vigilance, as traffickers constantly alter their appearances to avoid capture.
Mr. Tikoduadua praised the efforts of the nation’s border officials and police for their role in combating drug trafficking. He also urged the public to engage in the national action plan against drugs, stressing that the responsibility lies with everyone, not just law enforcement and business leaders who have the means to support these efforts.