Smuggled alcohol amounting to $6,500 seized following search operation on foreign vessel

A joint search and rummaging operation conducted on a foreign-flagged sailing vessel in Savusavu has led to the detection and seizure of undeclared alcohol with a total duty liability and compounding penalty amounting to more than $6,500.

The search team comprised of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, the Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Dog Detector Unit, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Immigration Department, Ministry of Fisheries, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

According to FRCS, a total of 234 bottles of 200ml rum, three bottles of 750ml rum and one bottle of 1 litre liquor were confiscated.

FRCS says the seized goods were handed over to their officers for detention and the vessel’s master was apprehended and charged under Section 137 (a) of the Customs Act 1986 for committing an offence.

FRCS CEO, Udit Singh commended the officers for the successful interception and for carrying out their duties diligently in ensuring that our borders are protected from illegal activities.

Singh says alcohol is subject to excise duty on import to Fiji and smuggling deprives the country of revenue that would otherwise be used to fund vital public services such as schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

Singh says they are reminding operators of foreign vessels to understand and comply with the entry requirements of Fiji and FRCS will have zero tolerance for illegal activities detected at the Fijian borders.

FRCS says the success of the vessel search and seizure underscores the importance of leveraging the strengths of partner agencies to enhance detection, deterrence, and response to maritime security threats.

They say the continued support from development and regional partners in enhancing the capacity and capability of Fiji’s maritime border security agencies reinforces national efforts to strengthen maritime security.

They add these efforts, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration will include formalising the endorsement of the Maritime Border Cooperation Framework which will cover aspects related to strengthening coordination and maritime domain intelligence efforts at the Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC).

FRCS says the framework also aims to enhance cooperation at sea as part of the efforts to strengthen Fiji's maritime borders, better manage resources, and address evolving challenges in the maritime domain.