Fiji’s Criminal Underworld: A Hub for Transnational Organized Crime

Introduction

A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) has shed light on Fiji’s criminal landscape, ranking it 146th out of 193 countries in terms of organized crime. This article will explore the key findings of the report and the implications for Fiji.

A Strategic Location for Criminal Activity

Fiji’s strategic location makes it an attractive spot for criminal organizations to establish themselves. The country’s cash-based economy and porous borders provide a haven for illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other forms of transnational organized crime.

• Drug Trafficking: Fiji is not only a transit hub for drugs originating from Southeast Asia and Latin America but also has a growing domestic market for methamphetamine.
• Human Trafficking: The country’s porous borders make it vulnerable to human trafficking, with foreign criminal actors involved in this illegal activity.

Domestic Crime Scene

Fiji’s domestic crime scene is plagued by financial crimes such as:

• Tax Evasion: Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) reports an increase in cyber-enabled crime activities facilitated by locals using “money-mule accounts.”
• Fraud: Romance scams and investment frauds are on the rise, with criminals using multiple identities to evade detection.
• Money Laundering: The country’s financial system is vulnerable to money laundering, with limited anti-money laundering regulations.

Criminal Justice System

Fiji’s criminal justice system is criticized for its lack of effective response to organized crime. The report notes that:

• Outdated Laws: The country has outdated laws and a limited anti-corruption agency, which hampers efforts to combat transnational organized crime.
• Limited Information-Sharing: There is a significant lack of information-sharing between local and external agencies, making it difficult to track down criminal networks.

Government Response

The Fijian government has signed agreements with international partners, including Australia and New Zealand, to address transnational crime. However, the report suggests that more needs to be done to combat the problem.

• Capacity Building: The country’s reliance on international partners for intelligence gathering highlights the need for Fiji to develop its own capacity to tackle organized crime.
• Infrastructure Development: Fiji’s limited resources, including only one large patrol boat, make monitoring its waters a challenging task.

Conclusion

Fiji’s criminal underworld is a complex web of transnational organized crime, driven by the country’s strategic location and cash-based economy. While the government has taken steps to address the problem, more needs to be done to combat financial crimes, strengthen law enforcement capacity, and improve information-sharing between local and external agencies. Fiji must prioritize these efforts to effectively tackle its criminal underworld.