Rabuku calls for more funding for Navy and asset recovery to combat drug trafficking

Fiji has maritime borders that require increased funding, particularly for the Fiji Navy, as well as stronger narcotics diplomacy with countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku raised this during the National Talanoa Session on Responding to Illicit Drugs in Fiji; Renewing Commitment Through Action, held at the R.B. Convention Centre in Lami.

He says nobody is doing surveillance 24/7, which allowed two major drug shipments to reach Fiji’s borders in broad daylight.

Rabuku says the Navy's budget is 12 percent of the entire RFMF budget, but we have the most porous borders.

He also says Australia and New Zealand should provide greater financial support, as many of the drugs originate from or pass through their countries.

Insert: Rabuku on political will 25th Feb

The Deputy DPP further stresses the government must allocate more funding to asset recovery as well, noting that significant funds remain unused in certain accounts.

Rabuku says that tonnes of drugs are entering through maritime routes.

He adds that a proper asset recovery system would allow authorities to seize illicit proceeds and redirect the money toward combating the drug crisis in communities and supporting rehabilitation programmes.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Policing Ioane Naivalurua has stressed that we will defeat the drug war.

He called to act now and help in reducing the supply of drugs in our country.

Naivalurua adds that we need to tighten our borders, secure not only the airports, but the open seas.