Coastal communities recruited to hunt drug traffickers

Fiji is enlisting coastal communities, fishermen and boat operators in the fight against drug trafficking.

Ministry of Policing and Communications permanent secretary Berenado Daveta said Fiji's 1.3 million square kilometres of ocean could not be monitored by Government agencies alone.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva yesterday, Mr Daveta outlined the scale of the drug challenge facing the country.

He said the Fiji Police Force had seized 26.5 tonnes of cannabis worth an estimated $197 million, 4.5 tonnes of methamphetamine valued at $3.6 billion, and 69.9 kilograms of cocaine worth $91.9 million over the past three years.

These included the seizure of 2.6 tonnes of cocaine at Vatia in January and the 4.1-tonne methamphetamine bust two years ago.

Mr Daveta said the Community Policing Vanua Multi-Agencies Crime Prevention Maritime Security Programme, piloted in Kadavu with funding from the United Nations Development Programme and the United Kingdom Government, had established crime prevention committees in every village.

The initiative works through traditional chiefly structures and the Great Council of Chiefs.

“We go out and traditionally ask them if they can be part and parcel of enhanced vigilance along the coast,” Mr Daveta said.

Fishermen and boat operators are trained and licensed through the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji. When they spot an unchecked vessel at sea, they photograph it and report it to Police through Viber.

To strengthen coordination among agencies, Mr Daveta said a joint enforcement centre bringing together Police, Customs, Health, Immigration and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces had been submitted to Cabinet for approval.

He added that legislation to establish the Counter-Narcotics Bureau was expected to be tabled in Parliament in August.