Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho has confirmed that since 2016, the Fiji Detector Dog Unit joint team has recorded seizures of illicit drugs estimated to be worth more than $17 million.
While speaking at the Pacific Detector Dog Programme Annual Workshop, Qiliho says while the seizure of drugs may be estimated to be more than $17 million, the social cost brought on by the illicit trade is also staggering, as the devastation extends beyond the user resulting in massive social costs.
He says according to the New Zealand Index on calculating the social cost of the $17 million seizure, having factored in the social cost on the user, the community, health services and the economy, the social cost is estimated to be worth more than $33 million.
Qiliho says for any small Pacific economy, this is a worrying figure considering the respective governments are already having to meet and cater to the development needs of its people.
He says the Fiji Detector Dog Unit has been quick to make its presence known with the high volume of drug seizures, undeclared currency and a case of firearms and ammunition recorded over the last three‑year period.
The Police Commissioner says more than $320,000 in currency has been seized, with one case of firearms also recorded from 2017 to 2018.
Qiliho says there is a perception that the Unit operates mainly at the major ports of entry, but their contribution to the overall operations of the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Services in the Eastern, Southern and Western Division has been immense.
He says the recent high‑profile case where Australian John Nikolic was found guilty of the illegal importation of illicit drugs and the possession of arms and ammunition, is a success story that the Fiji Detector Dog Unit had a major role in.
Qiliho says the successful prosecution had surely sent out a strong message that Fijian authorities have the capabilities and resources through the specialized Fiji Detector Dog Unit, to intercept large consignments destined for other countries.
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