Opposition questions funding for joint anti-drug operations
Minister says Police continue leading operations while Counter Narcotics Bureau is established.
Monday 20 July 2026 | 10:30
Opposition MP Premila Kumar in Parliament on July 17, 2026.
Photo: Parliament of Fiji
The Opposition has questioned how joint Fiji Police Force and Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) anti-drug operations are being funded.
This follows revelations that the $1.6 million allocated to the Counter Narcotics Bureau is intended for establishing and operating the new agency.
During scrutiny of the 2026-2027 National Budget in Parliament, Opposition MP Premila Kumar asked Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua where funding for the joint Police-RFMF operations was coming from.
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Her question followed Mr Naivalurua's confirmation that the $1.6 million allocated to the Counter Narcotics Bureau would be used for the bureau's operations.
"Where is the money for all these joint works that is being undertaken by the Police and the RFMF together to combat drugs?" Ms Kumar asked.
Mr Naivalurua said anti-drug operations were still being carried out mainly by the Fiji Police Force while the Counter Narcotics Bureau was being established.
"Most of the work now is being done at the Police level whilst we are trying to establish the Counter Narcotics Bureau," he said.
"There will be a gradual shift towards the Counter Narcotics Bureau taking full ownership of its functions and the operations of drugs."
The Government allocated $1.6 million to the Counter Narcotics Bureau in the 2026-2027 Budget, down from $1.95 million in the previous financial year.
