NARCOTICS-related crime, organised criminal activity and taxation and customs offences have been identified as the highest money laundering threats facing Fiji, according to the National Policy on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing released by the Fiji Intelligence Unit (FIU).
The report outlines legal, institutional and operational measures to address criminal threats that generate illicit funds and fuel money laundering activity in Fiji.
Narcotics-related offences are ranked as a high threat, with the report highlighting the criminalisation of drug trafficking under the Illicit Drug Control Act 2004, forfeiture provisions for proceeds of crime and strong cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies.
The Fiji Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service are identified as the key agencies responsible for investigating, prosecuting and pursuing proceeds linked to drug-related offences.
Participation in organised criminal groups is also assessed as a high money laundering threat, with the report noting its links to narcotics trafficking, scams, human trafficking and other serious crimes.
The FIU policy calls for stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies, both domestically and internationally, and the development of clear policies and procedures to address participation in organised criminal groups.
Taxation and customs-related crimes, including smuggling, are similarly ranked as a high threat. The report says tax evasion, customs fraud and cross-border smuggling continues to generate illicit proceeds that pose significant money laundering risks.
It says the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service plays a central role in investigating tax offences, with referrals to the Fiji Police Force for money laundering investigations where necessary.
The FIU says addressing these predicate crimes remain a high strategic priority, stressing that effective cooperation among enforcement agencies is critical to disrupting criminal networks and protecting Fiji’s financial system from abuse.
