Fiji: High profile drug raids demonstrate Fiji police capable of disrupting regional threats
On 23 September, the Fiji Police Force, in collaboration with the Detector Dog Unit, the Police Mobile Force, the Fiji Immigration Department and the Serious Organised Crime and Intelligence Department, conducted simultaneous raids across the Central, Southern, and Western Divisions, resulting in the seizure of methamphetamine and the arrest of a Fijian and six foreign nationals. The arrests included two Chinese nationals and the son of a pro-China Palauan senator, Lagomarsino Baules. Baules was found in the Fijian residence of a Federated States of Micronesia national, blacklisted by Palau authorities for association with drug traffickers. Methamphetamine was also recovered at the Yue Lai Hotel in Suva, owned by Zhao Fugang, a businessman of Chinese descent who Australian authorities labelled as a major criminal target in 2024.
Assessment: With a focused targeting of the ring leaders of the drug trafficking network,the operation reveals a detailed and coordinated investigation by law enforcement. The arrest of individuals with prior blacklisting and criminal targeting demonstrates continued regional trafficking activity despite prior sanctions and monitoring. Law enforcement will almost certainly focus on dismantling the ring leaders and top hierarchy in the drug fight.
Sources: “Seven people are in custody following joint raids,” Fiji Police Force, September 30, 2025; “8 people charged for drug seizure,” Fiji Police Force, September 30, 2025; Bose Vavataga, “Chinese tourists claim thousands missing after drug arrest,” FBC, September 29, 2025; Ronald Toito’ona, “Son of Palau Senate Leader Caught up in Fiji Drug Sweep,” In-depth Solomons, October 2, 2025.
