Three people arrested for alleged methamphetamine smuggling

Two men and a woman have been charged with one count of unlawful importation of methamphetamine after officers from the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service intercepted a consignment at the Nadi International Airport which was addressed to a business in Suva.

The woman faces additional charges of unlawful possession of illicit drugs and unlawful transportation of illicit drugs while the two men face an added charge of unlawful transportation of illicit drugs.

The consignment contained 20 stainless steel bolts with a white substance which later tested positive for methamphetamine.

The three individuals will be produced in the Nadi Magistrates Court.

Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Police Force, Juki Fong Chew states that the seizure demonstrates why collaboration and partnerships are important between law enforcement agencies in tackling the illicit drug trade.

Chew says collaboration is the best solution towards tackling the illicit drug trade because the police cannot do it alone.

He says capabilities at our borders have been strengthened over the years, not only between local law enforcement but with the regional partners, with the likes of New Zealand Police providing K9s and training for the Fiji Dog Detector Unit officers.

The Acting Commissioner says we need partnerships to be strengthened at all levels, particularly at the community level if we are to be even more effective in the war on drugs, nationally and regionally. FRCS Chief Executive Officer, Mark Dixon says the successful seizure of illicit drugs was another example of how the FRCS and its law enforcement partners collaborated to keep the lethal drugs from entering Fiji.

Dixon says the close collaboration, vigilance, and capabilities of all stakeholders at the borders continue to disrupt criminal syndicates attempting to bring drugs into the country.

He says they are not only detecting drugs at the border but together they are stopping those involved in the importation.

Dixon says FRCS and its law enforcement partners will continue to work together to target and dismantle criminal networks and prosecute them at every opportunity.

He says this arrest should serve as a warning to anyone considering taking part in criminal activities – you will be caught, and you will be held accountable.