Methamphetamine and cocaine have been found smuggled into Pacific nations, concealed inside audio speakers and packets of instant noodles. Fiji’s police have intercepted these illicit drugs, along with controlled steroids hidden in items like coffee.
This information was revealed in a report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges and Impact,” which was launched in Suva. The report highlights the sophisticated techniques employed by smugglers to transport their products into the region, noting that Fiji and Papua New Guinea have become prime routes for these activities.
Additionally, the report mentions that the Air Cargo Control Unit at Nadi International Airport has confiscated smaller drug consignments arriving via mail or parcels. Out of 16 drug seizures occurring from February 2021 to September 2023, eleven involved methamphetamine, with amounts ranging from 200 grams to 5 kilograms. These packages reportedly originated from countries including the United States, Canada, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
Moreover, the report indicates that several small criminal networks operating outside of Fiji, particularly involving Fijians living abroad, significantly contribute to these drug shipments. According to the report, “in Fiji, drop-offs at sea are often executed by vessels using rafts equipped with locating devices.” It also notes that failed drug drop-offs have resulted in the discovery of illegal substances on the shores of several Pacific nations, although there have been no successful seizures of drugs from rafts in the area to date.
The report warns that the emergence of a regional drug market poses significant risks to the security and governance of Pacific countries, with further negative impacts on health and society. It commends policymakers for their efforts to combat the escalating drug issue but emphasizes the need for authorities to anticipate changes in trafficking routes and smuggling techniques employed by organized crime. As enforcement increases in one area, traffickers may shift their operations to different routes within the Pacific region.