A parcel containing an unidentified white substance was found on an island in Fiji’s Lau Group on Saturday, May 30, prompting an active police investigation. The Fiji Police Force said the package was discovered by a local woman and her daughter after they returned from a fishing trip; the parcel has been collected and is now in police custody while forensic testing is arranged to determine the nature of the contents.
Police confirmed the discovery on Sunday and said investigators were continuing inquiries into how and when the parcel arrived on the island. Authorities said the substance has yet to be tested and cautioned against drawing conclusions until laboratory results are available. The force acknowledged the prompt reporting by the two women and thanked community leaders on the island for their ongoing cooperation in sharing information with law enforcement.
The police reminded the public not to handle suspicious packages and to report any such finds immediately to the nearest police station or police post, or by calling the national emergency number 1681. Given the Lau Group’s reliance on small-boat movements and inter-island shipments, the force also encouraged residents to report unusual maritime activity via the regional Pacific Watch platform at pacificwatch.org, which helps authorities monitor and respond to incidents across the Pacific islands.
Authorities stressed that forensic testing is essential to establish whether the substance is hazardous or illegal. Past interceptions in Fiji have demonstrated that white powdered substances discovered in parcels can sometimes be illicit drugs; in November 2025 police and customs investigators seized a package labelled as a “smoke machine” that concealed a motherboard containing around 640 grams of a white powder later confirmed to be cocaine, a case that led to criminal charges and court proceedings. That episode underlines why investigators will send samples for analysis rather than releasing further details at this stage.
Local police said investigative steps will include tracing the parcel’s point of origin and any recent boat movements to and from the island, as well as conducting interviews with residents who may have information about deliveries or unusual visitors. No arrests have been reported in connection with the discovery, and no injuries or exposures have been reported from handling the parcel, police added.
The Fiji Police Force reiterated that community vigilance remains vital to public safety and urged anyone with information about the parcel or other suspicious packages to come forward. Further updates will be provided when test results are available or as significant developments occur in the inquiry.