Fijian Police Taskforce Suspected of Ties to Criminal Syndicate in Drug Trafficking Investigation

An elite Fijian police taskforce working with Australia and New Zealand to combat drug trafficking and organized crime in the Pacific region is suspected of being compromised by a powerful criminal syndicate known as the Zhao syndicate. The taskforce, created by the suspended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho, was meant to support the Transnational Serious Organised Crime Pacific Taskforce, an initiative launched by the Australian Federal Police.

However, intelligence collected by security agencies in Australia and Fiji identifies a taskforce official as the intermediary for the Zhao syndicate, allegedly responsible for directing other police investigators to do the syndicate's bidding. The allegedly corrupt police officer is suspected of coordinating other Fijian police to carry out tasks for the Zhao syndicate, including storing large amounts of drugs in Fiji, co-opting local criminals, and arranging the sale of drugs to outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia or New Zealand.

Australian security officials believe that members of the Fijian police commissioner's illicit drug taskforce have been working for the Zhao syndicate, which is allegedly led by a Fijian businessman and Chinese Communist Party operative named Zhao Fugang. Two other alleged 'Mr Bigs' in the drug trade are also named - Jason Zhong, the business partner of the Minister of iTaukei Affairs, Ifeiremi Vasu, and Chinese businessman Lum Bing.

Why this matters: The suspected infiltration of Fiji's elite police taskforce by a criminal syndicate raises serious concerns about the integrity and effectiveness of drug trafficking investigations in the Pacific region. This revelation also puts pressure on the Rabuka government in Fiji to address potential corruption within its law enforcement agencies.

Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew confirmed that the Commissioner's Taskforce was disbanded after he assumed the post in January last year. Fong Chew reiterated his commitment to ensuring the highest level of professionalism and integrity in the policing profession, stating that those found involved in criminal activities will be investigated. The allegations were initially dismissed as 'fake news' by the Chinese Embassy in Suva and the Minister for Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, but the new report by a multi-award winning journalist suggests the issue is more serious and raises concerns about the integrity of the Fijian police and government's efforts to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific region.

Key Takeaways

• Elite Fijian police taskforce suspected of being compromised by Zhao syndicate.
• Taskforce official allegedly acted as intermediary for Zhao syndicate's criminal activities.
• Alleged corrupt police officer coordinated Fijian police to assist Zhao syndicate.
• Infiltration raises concerns about integrity of drug trafficking investigations in Pacific.
• New Fijian police commissioner disbanded taskforce, vows to address potential corruption.