Mosese Raqio 
The measures also form part of Fiji’s preparations for its 2026 Mutual Evaluation of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. [Photo: FILE]
Around $11 million in assets, mostly linked to drug-related cases, are currently caught up in active forfeiture proceedings as Fiji steps up efforts to strip criminals of the proceeds of crime.
Acting Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga told Parliament this week that forfeiture cases have increased, including a recent major case involving almost $9 million worth of properties.
Government has also established a Civil Forfeiture Unit within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to strengthen the pursuit of assets suspected to have been acquired through criminal activity.
Prosecutors have secured Unexplained Wealth Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act against known drug dealers whose wealth is significantly out of proportion to their declared legitimate income.
The crackdown comes as Fiji targets money laundering and organised crime, with the 2025 National Risk Assessment identifying illicit narcotics and organised crime among the country’s major money-laundering risks.
Tax and customs offences, illegal fishing, bribery and corruption have also been identified as key threats.
Police, FICAC, the Financial Intelligence Unit, FRCS, Reserve Bank of Fiji and the DPP are strengthening intelligence sharing, coordination and investigations to detect and disrupt illicit financial activity.
The measures also form part of Fiji’s preparations for its 2026 Mutual Evaluation of its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
The assessment will test how effectively Fiji identifies financial crime risks, prosecutes offenders and restrains and confiscates assets linked to crime.
