Authorities are making steady progress in the investigation of the importing, use, and sale of illicit drugs in Fiji.

Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Mason Smith said that police are working closely with stakeholders in identifying those behind the sale.

“We are making progress. And as of right now the Minister is meeting with relevant stakeholders about the curbing of this issue in Fiji,” Smith said.

While opening a 3-day workshop on reviving Fiji’s Counter Terrorism Bill in Suva today, Smith said this was a necessity for Fiji.

Attendees will over the next three days “put the finishing touches” on the bill and “discuss and draft a national committee strategy that will enable Fiji in partnership with our stakeholders to prepare, prevent, respond, and recover from a terrorist attack.”

“Some of you will recall that on the 17th of November 2023, the cabinet agreed to revive Fiji’s counterterrorism efforts through the development of a national counterterrorism strategy and a bill. This draft bill has gone through numerous rounds of consultation. I hope you will be able to put the finishing touches on this much-needed Bill. Second, you will discuss and draft a national committee strategy that will enable Fiji in partnership with our stakeholders to prepare, prevent, respond, and recover from God forbid a terrorist attack.

“And recommend a way forward on the report of the UN CounterTerrorism Committee executive report that they issued here in November last year.”

Representatives from various organisations are represented at the workshop including the Australian Federal Police, RFMF, Fiji Police, FRCS, and others.