Cocaine parcels may be from failed smuggling operation, says Policing Minister

A string of cocaine discoveries along Fiji's coastline and outer islands within a month has fuelled concerns that an international drug trafficking operation may have gone wrong.

Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua said investigators were examining whether the cocaine parcels were part of a new method of distributing drugs through the Pacific or had been lost at sea before reaching their intended destination.

Between June and July, Police confirmed cocaine parcels were found by members of the public in Ogea, Komo and Vanuabalavu in the Lau Group, Vatulele Island, Mau Village along the Namosi coastline, Wainunu in Bua, and on the Muanikau foreshore in Suva.

"It is one of those things now that we are seeing. Whether it has been done intentionally or is just one of those failed operations that has landed on our shores, that is something we are trying to find out," Mr Naivalurua said.

"Whether it is part of a new strategy, a new way of distributing drugs here, or just one of those things that has gone wrong and it has gone all over the place."

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said investigators were working with international law enforcement agencies to trace the source of the drugs.

"Yes, we are working with the Australian Federal Police and other international law enforcement partners to determine the source," she said.

Mr Naivalurua acknowledged Fiji faced significant challenges in protecting its vast maritime borders.

"Fiji is an open sea. We cannot police our front," he said, adding that efforts were focused on strengthening surveillance and deploying resources more strategically.

"One thing is absolutely clear. We need to lift our ability to police our waters more effectively, and we need to get the right capabilities to do that."

The Fiji Police Force thanked members of the public who reported the discoveries and urged anyone who finds suspicious packages or observes unusual maritime activity to contact Police on 1681.