'Drugs creating hidden network threatening border integrity'

Minister for Immigration Viliame Naupoto has warned that drugs are creating a dangerous hidden network within the Fijian society.

He says, it is one that threatens to pull border officials into its web.

Speaking at the launch of a five-week immigration induction programme at the Pacific Communities University (PCU) in Suva yesterday, Mr Naupoto said the drug trade was far more than a health crisis.

“Immigration is a border agency, it is a security agency, and I know that drugs has been talked about in terms of the health impact it has, but the other part which I think is the worst or the more dangerous side of drugs is the fact that it creates a secret segment of our society,” Mr Naupoto said.

He said this hidden network which is made up of those who pick up, keep, guard, and transport drugs - posed a serious risk, especially when authorities became part of it.

“The problem increases when the authorities fall into the secret segment of our society,” he said.

His warning came days after the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) seized five kilograms of methamphetamine at Nadi International Airport on April 17, concealed inside passenger baggage.

Mr Naupoto said border security required all agencies, immigration, customs, police, navy, and maritime to work together.

“Our border is a combination of agencies. We can close the gap, close it by working together,” he said.

Immigration officers have been advised to uphold their integrity and resist being drawn into criminal networks.

At the induction programme officers were reminded that it is important for them to uphold integrity and do what is right.

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