FISHERMEN and people using Fiji’s maritime waters have been urged to remain vigilant after another parcel containing a white substance was found on the shores near a village on Beqa island.
Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua said the latest discovery showed that drug trafficking was not confined to any particular part of the country and called on people in maritime communities to report suspicious items found at sea or along the shoreline.
“We have items floating out in the sea in Beqa, which obviously could have been carried by current from anywhere,” Mr Tikoduadua said.
“So it speaks to the need for the Navy to be legislated properly, to be granted the powers.
“And that’s exactly what we are going to cover through the Maritime Powers Bill (which was passed in Parliament last night), to harmonies the legislation that covers all of the law enforcement agencies out at sea.”
He said the Navy would have a primary role in keeping Fiji’s maritime space safe, while the fight against drugs required a national response.
Police confirmed the parcel was found by two women on a beach and handed over to resort staff.
Navua Police officers are being deployed to retrieve the parcel for analysis.
Police said the substance would be tested before it was stored in a secured location, along with all the other parcels they’ve found over the past year.
