Two of the four Ecuadorian nationals implicated in the Vatia cocaine bust obtained their passports during a time when police in Fiji were actively gathering intelligence on a significant drug trafficking operation originating from South America. Documents reviewed by The Fiji Times reveal that Alejandro Gonzalez received his passport on November 19, 2025, while Luciano Sanchez had his issued earlier on October 3, 2025.
The other two accused, Ramon Parraga and Jonathan Bermello, had their passports issued on June 7, 2024, and December 2, 2024, respectively. The Fiji Police Force disclosed that the issuance of these passports aligns with critical intelligence they had been compiling.
In July 2025, the Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department began monitoring a substantial drug trafficking network moving from South America to Fiji. This endeavor involved months of intelligence gathering and surveillance, conducted in close cooperation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Further developments in December 2025 heightened concerns when new intelligence indicated the imminent movement of a shipment of narcotics from South America. This cargo was reportedly being transported by a semi-submersible vessel, planned for delivery to one of Fiji’s neighboring countries.
The thorough and coordinated response by law enforcement agencies underscores the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in addressing this critical issue.
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