We recognise the impact hard drugs is having on Fiji and are training the Fiji Navy – Commander Tesoniero

We recognise the impact hard drugs is having on Fiji and want to make sure that it is not only enforced at sea but to work and train the Fiji Navy and its partners to better combat the drug problems coming to Fiji.

US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane, Commanding Officer, Commander Nicole Tesoniero highlighted this to fijivillage News when asked if they boarded any ships while in Fiji waters regarding the transportation of hard drugs into the country.

Commander Tesoniero says the Coast Guard has 11 statutory missions and one of those includes counter-drug activities so while they have come out with a different focus on fisheries, counter-drugs is still a very important aspect of what they do.

She says there are also certain things that the Fiji Navy should look out for so that there is a good awareness on whether or not a vessel is reasonably suspected of trafficking narcotics.

The Harriet Lane which is now stationed in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii set out last month on their inaugural patrol to support Operation Blue Pacific, which is a commitment to strengthening maritime governance and working with their allies and partners throughout the region.

Commander Tesoniero says they had the opportunity to work with Fijian ship-riders who represented the Fisheries, Immigration, Customs, and the Fiji Navy who were with them for about two and a half days.

She says they were able to conduct joint boarding operations to enforce the Fisheries laws throughout Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone.