Naivalurua pledges drug bureau by year-end

The Ministry of Policing has pledged that a fully operational Counter-Narcotics Bureau will be in place by the end of the year.

The Government’s commitment to tackling the escalating drug problem was reaffirmed by Minister for Policing, Ioane Naivalurua, during his address in Parliament today. Mr Naivalurua is concerned that Fiji’s youth continue to remain at the frontline of the nation’s drug crisis.

He warned that illicit drugs pose an existential threat to Fiji’s security, families, and communities, particularly as young people are increasingly caught in the cycle of substance abuse and trafficking.

Between March and September 2025 alone, police seized more than 19 tonnes of marijuana valued at FJ$194 million, alongside 4.1 kilograms of methamphetamine worth over FJ$280,000. During the same period, over 3,400 offenders were arrested, the majority aged between 18 and 35.

“These figures reveal a troubling truth that Fiji’s drug problem is overwhelmingly a youth problem,” Mr Naivalurua said. 

The Government’s five-year Counter-Narcotics Strategy from 2023 to 2028 will guide the Counter-Narcotics Bureau’s work under four pillars; reducing drug supply, minimising harm, expanding rehabilitation and strengthening legislation. 

“Looking ahead, the Government intends to pilot a transformation plan in Kadavu, shifting its reputation from the land of drugs to the land of security, economic stability and prosperity,” he said. 

“This fight cannot be won by police alone and it requires a whole-of-Fiji effort; citizens, communities and faith-based groups to take responsibility in safeguarding the nation.” 

Mr Naivalurua said that the recruitment will follow a merit-based process to ensure professionalism and integrity while international partners including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and the United Nations will support technical capacity-building.