Striking at Fiji’s drug menace

Fiji has witnessed another wave of successful drug raids, this time stretching across the Central, Southern and Western divisions. More than five Chinese nationals, a Yapese woman, and a Fijian man known for his drug links were arrested. Police seized illegal substances worth hundreds of thousands of dollars along with large sums of foreign and local currency. 
These operations were not the result of chance. Police have been tracking intelligence for more than a year, and on Tuesday their persistence bore fruit. Two Suva properties tied to Chinese nationals were raided, yielding more than two kilogrammes of seized illegal substances and vehicles registered in their names. In Nadi and Vuda, further raids netted significant amounts of drugs, including flasks containing over a kilogramme of meth with a staggering street value exceeding $500,000. 
What stands out is the coordination. The Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department worked alongside the Detector Dog Unit, Police Mobile Force and the Immigration Department. Such unity demonstrates that Fiji’s security agencies can match the sophistication of international syndicates. It also sends a clear message: our nation will not be a safe haven for traffickers. 
The timing could not be more urgent. Only last year, police made history by seizing over four tonnes of methamphetamine worth $2 billion. The courts have since handed down record sentences, including life imprisonment for the ringleader. These cases prove that Fiji can confront transnational cartels and deliver justice. They also highlight the scale of the threat. Drugs are not only passing through Fiji; they are seeping into our communities, ensnaring our youth and fuelling crime. 
This is a national emergency. Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua has hailed the raids as a reflection of good intelligence and cooperation. He is right. But let us not be lulled into thinking the battle is over. Syndicates are persistent, resourceful, and well-funded. They will try again. 
For Fiji, the challenge is twofold. First, we must maintain vigilance at our borders and within our institutions. Allegations of collusion involving police or customs officers in past cases are a warning. Integrity and oversight are as critical as firepower. Second, we must confront the social cost. Addiction is crippling families and futures. Schools, churches and communities must join forces with law enforcement in prevention and rehabilitation. 
These raids are a victory, but they are also a reminder. The fight against drugs cannot be won by police alone. It requires sustained political will, honest institutions, and active citizen support. Fiji’s future depends on it.