The Fiji Police Force has warned that transnational criminals, wanted persons and individuals travelling on stolen passports could enter Fiji through maritime routes without being detected by international security systems.
The warning is contained in the Fiji Police Force’s response to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence’s review of its 2021-2022 Annual Report, tabled in Parliament on Friday.
According to the report, Fiji currently uses the INTERPOL I-24/7 database only at Nadi International Airport, where foreign nationals are screened against international notices for wanted persons, stolen passports and fugitives.
Police say the absence of the system at maritime ports has created “a significant maritime security gap” because foreign nationals arriving by yachts, private vessels and inter-island ships with foreign crew or passengers are not checked against the INTERPOL database.
The report warns that “transnational criminals, wanted persons, or those using stolen travel documents can potentially enter via maritime routes without being flagged by INTERPOL systems.”
To close what it describes as a critical loophole, the Fiji Police Force is calling for the INTERPOL I-24/7 screening system to be introduced at all wharves and maritime ports of entry, including Suva, Denarau, Lautoka, Savusavu, Levuka and Rotuma, as well as other designated ports where foreign vessels arrive.
Police say extending the system would ensure maritime arrivals are subject to the same level of scrutiny as air passengers and would strengthen Fiji’s ability to combat transnational crime.
The report notes that under Fiji Customs law, all overseas-arriving vessels are already required to provide at least 48 hours’ notice before arrival, report first to a designated Customs Port of Entry, and complete customs clearance within 24 hours of entering Fiji waters. Until clearance is granted, vessels must fly the international quarantine (Q) flag.
