IT has emerged that two of the four Ecuadorian nationals charged in the Vatia cocaine bust obtained their passports during the same period police were already gathering intelligence on a major drug trafficking operation from South America. Passport details sighted by The Fiji Times show Alejandro Gonzalez was issued his passport on November 19, 2025, while Luciano Sanchez obtained his on October 3, 2025.
The two other accused — Ramon Parraga and Jonathan Bermello — were issued their passports earlier, on June 7, 2024 and December 2, 2024 respectively.
The Fiji Police Force revealed yesterday the timeline coincided with intelligence they had received.
Police said that in July 2025, the Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department gathered intelligence on a significant drug trafficking operation from South America en route to Fiji.
This led to months of intelligence gathering and surveillance of persons of interest in close liaison with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
Police said further intelligence in December 2025 flagged the movement of a shipment of illicit drugs from South America, destined for one of Fiji’s neighbouring countries, transported by a semi-submersible vessel.
