Villagers along Vanua Levu’s coastal areas have been finding strange devices floating near their communities or washed up on their shores.
These devices, which are consistently described as black nylon fishing nets attached to tightly sealed PVC pipes, appear to be equipped with GPS-like gadgets and powered by small solar panels.
While the Fiji Police Force has confirmed receiving reports of these devices, Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said these gadgets were linked to drug issues.
“Villagers have been finding these various tools at various locations” Mr Chew said, however, he could not specifically say whether they were being brought in by yachts.
“These issues were brought to the attention of Northern Divisional Police Commander Senior Superintendent Kemueli Baledrokadroka.”
Authorities worldwide have reported sightings of such devices, although similar types were employed to monitor and manage the movement of illicit goods.
“If you watch the overseas news, these types of gadgets are linked to drugs, not only here in Fiji but all around the world,” Mr Chew said.
He expressed gratitude to people coming in with information such as this.
