Fiji drug bust estimated worth $25 million
Suva (Fiji’s Daily Post/PINA Nius Online) – Fiji Police busted a multimillion dollar international drug syndicate and seized in excess of 300 kilograms of heroin, believed to be the biggest haul in the Pacific Islands. Police said the heroin could easily fetch over $25 million in the wholesale market but its market value could be ten times more.
They were packed in 450 packs, sealed with wax in tight plastics and were neatly stashed in cartons under a thin layer of clothes in a Suva home and a warehouse in Wailada in Lami. The drugs are under heavy police and military guard at the Nasova Police Academy in Nasese. Two Fiji residents of Chinese origin were arrested on Saturday in connection with the drugs.
“We are still investigating how it came here and where it was heading to,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Moses Driver said yesterday.
“Investigations are still underway to establish the exact weight,” he said.
It involved about 20 agents from the Fiji Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, US Drug Enforcement Administration and New Zealand Police.
“Our investigations centered on reports of an international drug smuggling syndicate allegedly using Fiji as a staging point for illegal drugs before they’re transshipped to other countries,” he said. Mr. Driver said the joint investigations began four months ago when intelligence reports suggested that Fiji was being used as a transit point for international drug syndicates. “We need to be sure that we are all working to the one end.”
“Therefore investigators from the Australian Federal Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and New Zealand Police worked with us to ensure the investigation was thorough and all information were examined.
“This has been a long and challenging investigation and the results should serve as a warning to everyone that the Fiji Police will not tolerate drug smuggling or any other kind of illegal activity.
“The people of Fiji can be assured that their police force will act very quickly and effectively when this type of intelligence is gathered. If it means that we have to work and share the investigation with other countries then we will,” he said.
Investigations climaxed on Saturday when police issued six search warrants and raided six addresses in Suva where heroin were found. The two men who were arrested on Saturday are expected to appear at the Magistrates Court in Suva this week.
