Cocaine haul and maritime crackdown: Fiji steps up fight against drug traffickers

Fiji has stepped up its fight against drug traffickers after dozens of packages washed up on remote coastlines tested positive for cocaine.

The move has triggered a nationwide security response on land and sea.

The Republic of Fiji Navy says its latest maritime security operation saw 98 vessels boarded and inspected over the past two weeks as authorities tightened surveillance across the country’s vast maritime borders.

Operation Yadra Matua follows the discovery of 76 suspected packages along the shores of remote communities in Lau, Qamea, Kadavu and Beqa.

Fiji Police have since confirmed the packages tested positive for cocaine and are working with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to trace where they came from and where they were headed.

Operation Yadra Matua involved 85 personnel, two Guardian-class patrol boats, a fleet of small boats and two surveillance aircraft.

During the operation, 28 maritime contacts were identified from the air while several vessels found to be breaching regulations were referred to other authorities for further action.

The Navy says the operation was designed to strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, detection, interception, and enforcement across Fiji’s waters.

“As Fiji continues to face increasingly complex maritime threats, the Fiji Navy intends to increase the tempo of operations and adopt a more proactive approach focused on detecting, deterring and disrupting illegal activities within Fiji’s maritime domain,” the Navy said in a statement.

Operation Yadra Matua involved 85 personnel, two Guardian-class patrol boats, a fleet of small boats and two surveillance aircraft. Photo/Republic of Fiji Navy

“Fiji’s maritime domain is vast, and securing it requires the combined efforts of our maritime agencies, communities, allies and international partners.”

While the first phase of Operation Yadra Matua has ended, the Navy says routine patrols and surveillance will continue.

Police are also responding to fresh reports of suspected drugs washing ashore.

Last Wednesday, officers recovered a clear plastic package containing a white substance from Namena Island near Savusavu.

The package has been sent to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for testing and investigation.

Authorities are urging people not to touch or open suspicious packages but to report them immediately so police can safely recover them.

Operation Yadra Matua saw 98 vessels boarded and inspected. Photo/Republic of Fiji Navy

Security forces are continuing to target drug cultivation on land.

Last week, a joint operation involving the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) uncovered more than 5600 suspected marijuana plants in a farming area at Naweni, Cakaudrove, on Vanua Levu.

Police say the operation has achieved more than drug seizures, helping build stronger relationships with communities that were initially hesitant to support the crackdown.

“Another positive is the shift in acceptance of the need to collaborate, safeguarding communities after initial resistance to the operations in the district,” a police statement read.

“At the same time, community policing efforts run parallel to curb illegal activities and encourage alternative livelihoods that are not built on criminal acts.”

Ratu Josefa Kabakoro, the chief of Naweni, says he has already seen positive changes in the community.

Operation Sasamaki uncovered more than 5600 suspected marijuana plants in a farming area at Naweni, Cakaudrove, on Vanua Levu. Photo/ Fiji Police Force

“Instead of planting marijuana, now they are planting crops like dalo, tavioka and I take my hat off to the police,” he says in a Fiji Police interview.

“We have noticed, the young boys, they make use of the other natural resources, like the sea, they've gone out fishing.”

Fiji Police continue to thank traditional leaders and communities for reporting suspected drugs quickly.

Watch the highlights of the Republic Fiji Navy's Operation Yadra Matua.

Police add support from locals is playing a key role in protecting Fiji from the growing threat of transnational organised crime.