Minister praises Police after major cocaine seizure

Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua has praised the Fiji Police Force and its leadership following the seizure of more than 100 bags of cocaine in Vatia, Tavua, on Friday.

Mr Naivalurua said the drug bust reinforced that illicit drug activity in Fiji was not merely a national issue, but part of a wider international drug network.

Police arrested four South American nationals, believed to be from Ecuador, along with two locals during the operation. More than 100 bags containing parcels believed to be cocaine were seized.

“An interesting development is the involvement of these foreign nationals, which will be clearly detailed in the operation report once it is completed,” Mr Naivalurua said.

He acknowledged ongoing security and policing gaps across the country, particularly in the surveillance of Fiji’s maritime borders.

“Tougher battles are still ahead,” he said.

“There are many gaps across Fiji. We need to work towards putting proper defence measures in place to cover these gaps.

“There is progress, but we need to pool our resources, identify priority areas and focus on those areas at this point.”

Mr Naivalurua said the seizure echoed similar large-scale operations in recent years.

Around the same time in 2024, Police seized 4.15 tonnes of methamphetamine in Maqalevu and Legalega, which was destined for the Australian market.

The drugs were transported into Fiji’s exclusive economic zone aboard an unflagged superyacht from the Americas.