Concerns have emerged regarding the alleged exchange of marijuana for methamphetamine among youths in Lau, particularly on the island of Moala. Village leaders in the province have raised alarms over the situation, revealing insights gathered during visits to Moala and Vanuabalavu, which indicate that meth use is reportedly becoming more prevalent among young people on the islands.
The Fiji Police Narcotics Bureau in Suva has been notified of these developments, but authorities have yet to compile concrete evidence. Reports suggest that meth is being smuggled to the islands by villagers from Lau who travel on passenger boats from Suva, benefiting from the weak security measures enforced by the police at the wharf, compounded by limited police resources on the islands.
Young residents of the Lau Group are increasingly encountering methamphetamine through various means, including yachts, inter-island shipping, domestic flights, and online tutorials on its production. Village headmen from the 72 villages within the province have expressed deep concerns about the potential for meth use to disrupt the peace and lifestyle of the islands.
Roko Tui Lau Jaji Kalounivalu conveyed the Lau Provincial Council’s worries regarding the well-being and future of the island’s inhabitants. “While marijuana usage has been known, we’ve received reports from Vanuabalavu, Ono-i-Lau, Lakeba, and Moala indicating that meth is now present,” he explained, adding that although the current usage among youth may not be widespread, the community fears the drug’s influence could rapidly expand given the island’s small population.
The Lau Group consists of over 50 islands, with only 19 inhabited. The estimated population of the province is around 80,000 people, although village profiling statistics recorded approximately 6,800 residents on the islands as of November last year. The male youth demographic aged between 10 and 30 represents the majority of the young population, with specific statistics showing 724 males and 654 females among those aged 10 to 20, and 321 males and 267 females between 20 and 30 years old.
In this week’s focus, the gradual infiltration of meth into the Lau Group and its impact on local youth lives will be discussed.
Illegal marijuana cultivation, sale, and use have long been recognized by authorities and village elders in the region. The discovery of cocaine packages along Lau’s shores in 2018, particularly in Moala, marked a troubling shift that could facilitate the introduction of harder drugs to the islands and provide trafficking routes to Australia and New Zealand.
Station officer at the Moala Community Post, Biutoka Vuli, has noted connections between a group in Moala and a drug dealer with familial ties to the island. “There is most likely a connection between the island and Suva. We are still working to gather evidence regarding meth presence on the island,” he stated during a recent interview.
Indicators of drug usage among young males are becoming increasingly observable, with some dropping out of school at a young age, which correlates with a rise in alcohol consumption, violence, and diminished respect within the community. “We can see the signs of this drug’s presence through the behaviors exhibited by the young men in the village,” Vuli reported.
Dr. Fifita Niulevu, a medical officer in Naroi, Moala, has witnessed a spike in physical assault cases, primarily linked to alcohol misuse among local youth. She recounted an incident in July where a group of young boys physically attacked a 39-year-old man during a drinking spree. “No one is prepared for the possible arrival of illicit drugs to our islands. It seems inevitable that cocaine and meth will eventually reach us,” she remarked.
Inia Cakacaka, headman of Nasoki Village, expressed apprehension that drugs are being funneled from Viti Levu to the islands. He urged the government to take measures to prevent the influx of illicit drugs into Moala, indicating that while Vanuabalavu has yet to show evidence of meth use, marijuana remains a concern.
Villagers from Daliconi, the traditional custodians of the Bay of Islands—a popular tourist spot—have observed unusual nets tied to buoys in the water, leading them to suspect drug trafficking activities. “Upon bringing the nets ashore, we found they were distinct from typical fishing nets. We believe these may be linked to drug transport,” elder Jione Kali stated.
Several yachts frequently visit Daliconi Village each week. The local community has initiated discussions to raise awareness about illicit drugs among its youth. Regular shipping and domestic flights operate within the Lau Group, which maintains connections with other parts of Fiji.
Savenaca Ledua, who was in Year 8 when he discovered a mysterious package on Moala beach, shared his experience of the incident that occurred in October 2018. He explained how he unwittingly picked up the package, believing it was harmless, only to later learn it contained cocaine. His discovery coincided with the police investigation that unveiled a wider issue concerning drug trafficking in the region.
Law enforcement has faced criticism for insufficient monitoring at key transport hubs, with shipping industry representatives urging for more rigorous security checks. George Goundar, an owner of Goundar Shipping Limited, highlighted the need for a stronger police presence on vessels considering the growing threat of drug trafficking.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free World, remarked on the lack of effective screening for flights connecting urban areas to the islands, suggesting that drug traffickers are exploiting these gaps. “The problem affects everyone regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status,” she concluded.