FIJI’S fight against drug smuggling and transnational crime has received a boost with the reopening of the refurbished Police K-9 Unit at Nadi International Airport, strengthening the country’s ability to detect illegal substances and other security threats at its borders.
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said the upgraded facility would improve the operational capabilities of detector dogs at a time when Fiji faces growing demands to protect its borders and respond to increasingly complex criminal activity.
More than $20million in illicit drugs and undeclared currency seized since 2016 by the Fijian Detector Dog Unit, while also detecting ammunition and other illegal activity.
Speaking at the official opening yesterday, Mr Tudravu said the unit played a critical role in detecting crime at the country’s ports of entry and across the greater Western Division.
“By boosting our canine capabilities, we are able to detect crimes at our borders and the Greater Western Division as a means of countering the borderless nature of transnational crime,” he said.
The refurbished facility provides improved accommodation for the dogs and dedicated training facilities, supporting their welfare and operational readiness.
The project was delivered through the Fiji Police Partnership Program, with funding support from the New Zealand Government through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The upgraded capabilities also include specialised explosive detector dogs, which are expected to support security operations at major ports of entry and during major international events hosted in Fiji.
Mr Tudravu said maintaining strong border protection capabilities was particularly important as tourist arrivals continued to rise towards expected record levels.
