Don't open washed-up packages, minister warns

Don't open washed-up packages, minister warns He confirmed all packages recovered had been analysed and identified as illicit drugs - cocaine. Saturday 18 July 2026 | 12:00 35 packages of suspected drugs were discovered in the Lau waters. Members of the public are being urged not to open suspicious packages found along Fiji's coastline after every parcel recovered so far tested positive for illicit drugs. Minister for Policing and Communications Ioane Naivalurua issued the warning on Friday, saying the Fiji Police Force was continuing investigations into the source of the packages, which have washed ashore in the Lau Group, Beqa and Suva. "We are just making sure that we warn our people when they see this type of washup or this type of package, do not open it, call the nearest police station, and we will come and pick it up," Mr Naivalurua said. Related stories He confirmed all packages recovered had been analysed and identified as drugs. "There is an analysis done immediately after that. All these packages that have been picked up have been confirmed as drugs," he said. Mr Naivalurua said the incidents mirrored a similar pattern seen in the Lau Group in 2018, with police now trying to determine whether the latest wash-ups were part of a deliberate operation. The Fiji Police Force is working with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to identify the source of the drugs and those responsible for the shipments. "We are happy that Fiji Police is working closely with the AFP," he said. Mr Naivalurua said once the source of the packages was established, police would be able to take further action.