Major cocaine seizure raises border security concerns

A major cocaine seizure at the Vatia wharf in Tavua has exposed se­rious gaps in maritime and border security, with villagers warning that poorly moni­tored coastal areas are being exploited by local and inter­national drug traffickers.

Police on Friday arrested six people, four South American nationals and two Fijians, af­ter raiding a vessel in the Vatia waters and seizing more than 100 bags containing parcels be­lieved to be cocaine.

The drugs were later trans­ferred to the Ba Police Station, while two suspects were  admitted to Aspen Hospital in Ba. 

The scale of the seizure has raised concerns about how such a large quantity of drugs was able to reach Fiji undetected. 

Village headman Niko Sucuvakaivalu said residents had raised alarms about unfamiliar yachts docking in the area, often without any visible border or police presence. 

“This is not the first time drugs have been seized here. People are worried about what this means for our children and our youths.

“This is a large stretch of water where drugs can be offloaded at many points,” he said. 

“It is suspected that some people living nearby may be involved.” 

Mr Sucuvakaivalu said the Vatia wharf was closed, poorly lit at night and lacked border police — unlike ports in Denarau, Nadi or Lautoka. 

“When we see yachts, we also see foreign nationals walking around the area,” he said. 

“If they were tourists, they should have entered through recognised ports.” 

The Vatia area, including the wharf, is owned by the mataqali Tilivalevu and tokatoka o Viagoiratu of the village of Vatutavui, the last village under the Tavua district. 

Mr Sucuvakaivalu said the quantity of drugs seized suggested a large and organised operation, rather than an isolated incident. 

He said he had repeatedly raised the issue at Bose ni Tikina meetings, calling for police support, including patrol boats, to help villagers protect their fishing grounds. 

“For this drug bust, we are calling on the Government, the Prime Minister and the police. We need a boat,” he said. 

He said the village had bylaws in place and warned that anyone found involved in drug dealing would be removed from the village boundary. 

He also raised concerns about people living near the wharf who were not from the village but may be involved in the drug trade. 

“If drug dealers are found operating on our land, they should be removed,” he said. 

“We need strong laws that will act as a real deterrent.” 

Mr Sucuvakaivalu said it was deeply troubling to see young people being used by drug syndicates, while those directing the operations remained hidden. 

He acknowledged police efforts in the area, noting that officers regularly visited the village and involved youths in sports and awareness programmes. 

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said the operation was conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department, the Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department and the Western Division Taskforce. 

He said the raid followed close cooperation between local and foreign law enforcement agencies. Police investigations are continuing.