Officers from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority searched a Taiwanese fishing vessel yesterday in Suva and confiscated USD $100,000 cash along with other items which were smuggled into the country.

“The vessel was targeted for activity by Customs after it had been risk assessed as ‘high’ following the profiling of visiting Fiji”, FRCS Chief Executive Officer Mr. Visvanath Das said.

All vessels arriving into Fiji are risk assessed by FRCS to determine if any action needs to be taken with them.

A rummage team consisting of five Customs Officers from the Suva Border Wharf team boarded the Taiwanese registered vessel and confiscated cash, liquor and cigarettes which were all hidden in the vessel.

All currency in excess of $10,000 is required to be reported to Customs on arrival or departure from Fiji under the FTR (Financial Transaction Reporting) Act.

“I commend our officers for carrying out their duties diligently in ensuring our borders are protected from those trying to use Fiji to carry out illicit activity and should be a warning to those engaged in such activity” Mr. Das said.

The case has been referred to Police for further investigations.

“We will ensure that a thorough investigation is carried out so as to send a strong message to those thinking they are able to use Fiji as a transit point that they will not succeed’’, Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho said.

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For queries please contact the FRCS Public Relations Officer Salvin Deo on 9296356 or Fiji Police Media Liaison Officer Ana Naisoro on 9905999.