Some of the border control officials working for the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA) are now actively under investigation for their alleged involvement in a major human trafficking scheme operating in Fiji.
Immigration Department officials yesterday identified the FIRCA officials who were logging into the immigration computers and entering data of Indian nationals who entered the country illegally.
The corrupt practice continued for some time as the Indian nationals remained in Fiji and the information continued to be logged in that they were going in and out of the country.
FIRCA Chief Executive Jitoko Tikolevu said they were unaware that their officers were involved and the discovery is shocking and alarming.
He said they are now awaiting the results of the police investigations.
Tikolevu said further action will definitely be taken by FIRCA.
As earlier highlighted by Fijivillage, the scheme which involved luring Indian nationals into Fiji for better jobs in return for thousands of dollars include a group in India, a company in Fiji and some officials.
So far there are 13 illegal Indian nationals in custody, 12 of these people were rounded up after raids at Laucala Beach, Nasole and other areas in Nasinu.
The 13th person surrendered herself to the police on Saturday.
Two people working for a local company are also being questioned.
The 13 illegal Indian nationals are now assisting the police, customs and immigration officials in catching everyone who is involved in this scam.
Officials have told us that there are definitely many more people who may have entered Fiji illegally and are still staying in the country.
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Border control officials under investigation
