Fiji Navy warns drug traffickers as joint sea operations intensify

Fiji Navy Commander Commodore Timoci Natuva says joint military and police operations targeting maritime drug trafficking have intensified, with authorities also monitoring “dark vessels” that switch off tracking systems to avoid detection.

Commodore Natuva warned those using Fiji’s waters to transport drugs that offenders would face the full force of the law.

“The law will come down hard on those who continue to use the maritime domain to transport drugs,” he told the Fiji Sun.

He said the Navy had been working closely with the Fiji Police Force’s Transnational Crime Unit and Maritime Police to identify areas where drugs were being transported by sea.

His warning follows the launch of the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force operation in the Western Division last week, where senior Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) and police officers united against what leaders described as a growing threat to Fiji’s future.

Commodore Natuva said the Navy’s operational tempo had not changed and coordination with police would continue.

He said a key concern remained “dark vessels” — ships that deliberately switch off their Automatic Identification System (AIS), a tracking device required on vessels, to avoid detection.

“Dark vessels continue to be a concern,” he said, adding aerial surveillance and satellite technology were being used to monitor such vessels.

He said a regional Transnational Crime Unit meeting was underway this week, where partner nations would share intelligence on dark vessels.

The Navy currently operates two patrol boats across Fiji’s 1.3 million square kilometre Exclusive Economic Zone, and Commodore Natuva acknowledged more vessels were needed.

“There’s definitely a need for more,” he said.