Operators of foreign fishing vessels are reminded to understand and comply with the entry requirements of Fiji according to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).
This comes after FRCS officer’s detected smuggled alcohol and cigarettes during their monitoring process whereby search and examination of fishing vessels were conducted.
In a statement released on Friday, FRCS said it would have zero tolerance for illegal activities detected at the Fijian borders.
FRCS stated it worked closely with other border protection agencies in Fiji including the Fiji Immigration Department, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MOHMS), the Fiji Police Force and the Fiji Navy to prevent illegal activities and safeguard the borders of Fiji.
From October 12 to 14, 2021, FRCS conducted targeted searches on two foreign fishing vessels.
The organisation discovered smuggled bottles of alcohol and packets of cigarettes concealed at various locations on the vessel worth approximately $F3647.
These smuggled goods were detained by FRCS.
Smuggling of alcohol and cigarettes on foreign fishing vessels was stated to be a re-occurring issue and to deter smuggling FRCS has been profiling vessels and aircraft for restricted and prohibited goods traded to or from Fiji.
FRCS stated their efforts to daunt illegal activities of foreign fishing vessels had been boosted through information received by the Fiji Navy, which has helped FRCS conduct random searches on 58 vessels from 2020 until now.
During these searches, their team found cigarettes and alcohol which were not declared.
FRCS and other border protection agencies in Fiji was engaging with the authorised foreign fishing vessel agents to educate them on the risks of smuggling goods into Fiji.
FRCS also warned foreign fishing vessel operators found smuggling, would be intercepted and would face full force of the law as the organisation has zero tolerance for such illegal activities.
