Death penalty back on the table amid drug cartel threat

Fiji has not ruled out introducing the death penalty as pressure mounts from powerful international drug cartels using the Pacific as a trafficking corridor.

Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga said life imprisonment remained the current maximum penalty under Fiji law.

However, harsher measures such as capital punishment could be considered when drug laws are reviewed.

“The issue of the death penalty has been discussed in various forms, but the Government has yet to take a position,” Mr Turaga said.

His remarks come as Fiji intensifies border security operations amid growing concern that transnational criminal networks are exploiting the country’s location between South America and Australia.

“We have no choice. From South America to Australia, Fiji sits along that path. We are dealing with organisations that have enormous financial resources,” he said.

Under Section 4 of the Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004, unlawful import or export of illicit drugs carries penalties of up to $1 million in fines, life imprisonment, or both.

Mr Turaga said Fiji’s response included strengthened border operations, tighter inter-agency co-ordination and deeper international partnerships.

“We have the Fiji Navy, the Fiji Police Force and inter-agency border control mechanisms working together,” he said.

“Through the Commonwealth and other partners, we are also able to access mutual assistance and collaborative enforcement support. Fiji is not immune, but we are not standing still.”

Despite the security push, he warned that enforcement alone would not solve the crisis and called for a united national effort.

“It is a combination. The vanua, the lotu (church), and the Government must work together. With will and commitment, we can protect our shores.

“The people must take responsibility for themselves and share information about suspicious activity.

“At the end of the day, we are thinking about our children and the future generations of Fiji.”

Mr Turaga said decisions taken now would determine how effectively Fiji shields itself from the escalating global drug trade.

He was speaking after a press conference during the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting in Nadi.

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