Meth passing Fiji and getting detected in Brisbane highlights the need for stringent border control measures - Tikoduadua

Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua says the recent incident involving a foreign national who was apprehended with 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine upon arrival in Brisbane from Fiji, highlights the challenges Fiji is facing in combating the illicit drug trade and the need for stringent border control measures.

While responding to questions from fijivillage News, Tikoduadua says the methods used to conceal these drugs demonstrate the lengths to which traffickers will go, emphasizing the importance of our vigilance and international cooperation.

Tikoduadua says the individual had commenced their journey in Vancouver, Canada, with their luggage checked through from the point of origin to her destination.

He commends the Australian Border Force for their vigilance and thorough inspection processes that led to this discovery.

Tikoduadua says their efforts are crucial in preventing illegal substances from crossing borders and protecting our communities from the dangers of drug trafficking.

The Minister adds the Fijian Department of Immigration remains committed to enhancing border security and will continue to work closely with the international partners, particularly their counterparts in Australia, to address these ongoing challenges.

The Canadian national is scheduled to face Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with allegedly importing the methamphetamine into Australia concealed in her luggage from her flight from Fiji.

Australian Border Force officers detected the methamphetamine on 28th July, 2024 after selecting the 24 year old woman, for a baggage examination after she arrived at Brisbane International Airport on a flight from Fiji. The woman started her journey in Vancouver, Canada.

The methamphetamine was allegedly in plastic packages wrapped inside towels that had been soaked in vinegar and layered with coffee beans.

The AFP charged the woman with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

This amount of methamphetamine could have been sold as almost 145,000 street deals with an estimated value of AUD$13.4 million.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Wiggins says every ‘hit’ of methamphetamine inflicts misery on the Australian community. He says he is pleased to say in this instance the AFP and the ABF stopped a significant amount of methamphetamine from reaching Australian streets.

Across Australia, there are 10,100 methamphetamine-related hospitalisations in 2021-2022 – which equates to more than 27 every day on average.

Methamphetamine is also linked to further criminal activity such as drug dealing, property crime and violence in Australia.

The AFP is continuing its investigation into the drug importation.

We have also sent questions to the Police and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service on how 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine went on a flight from Fiji to Brisbane, what is being done about this and what will be done to ensure that this is not repeated.