The Lautoka High Court noted a timely tip from a local informant led to the largest drug seizure in Fiji’s history, involving over 4.5 tonnes of methamphetamine valued at $2 billion.
According to Justice Aruna Aluthge in his July 31 ruling, the consignment was smuggled into the country by three foreigners aboard an unflagged superyacht.
“Instead of enjoying Fiji’s natural beauty, the trio used the yacht to deliver the massive shipment in a covert mid-sea transfer to a local barge,” said the judge.
The drugs were then quietly offloaded at Fantasy Island near Denarau.
“The case would not have come to light without the courage and cooperation of a local informant,” said Justice Aluthge.
For more than three weeks, the operation went undetected as the drugs were stored and shifted across various sites around Nadi.
Eventually, acting on the informant’s tip, police conducted raids and recovered the illicit cargo in two separate locations.
Nearly 14 individuals were arrested, and nine have been formally convicted last week, awaiting sentencing.
