Workshop on Container Control Program underway in a bid to prevent drug trafficking & other illicit cross‑border activities

Workshop on Container Control Program underway in a bid to prevent drug trafficking & other illicit cross‑border activities

By Pratika Mala
28/08/2019
[Photo: FRCS]

In a bid to prevent drug trafficking and other illicit cross‑border activities, a workshop on Container Control Program is currently underway at the World Customs Organization Regional Training Centre in Nasese, Suva.

The two‑week long workshop was officially opened by the Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes yesterday, who states that Australia remains committed to supporting and working collaboratively with regional partners to strengthen borders in preventing the trade in illicit goods and also to ensure that correct revenues and taxes are paid on legitimate goods.

Feakes says under this particular initiative, Australia has partnered with both the World Customs Organization and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to deliver a global product that demonstrates the significance and importance of multinational collaboration in the fight against transnational crime. He says as Australia’s neighbor and friend, and as the logistical hub for the Pacific, Fiji was identified to be the first nation in the region to host this program.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service CEO Visvanath Das says that the incredible volume of containers travelling the seas from country to country and continent to continent, make them targets for actors in the illicit drug trade, and even more so, for actors involved in producing and delivering counterfeit goods and merchandise.

Das adds the global dependency on maritime trade, combined with not only sophisticated concealment methods employed by traffickers or counterfeiters, but also diverse trafficking routes, make successful interdiction and intervention difficult.

He says this programme will be critical to how they monitor the trade supply chain. He says it is also his hope that the Container Control Program will bring in the border agencies and have them trained and equipped in the framework of the program and all working closely together.

Das stresses they all have a responsibility to promote sustainable economic growth and more importantly, they need to protect the current and future generations from the harmful effects of illegal trade.

The program is sponsored by the Australian Border Force.

ADVERTISEMENT

MH Moneygram
MH Online Shopping Banner
FEATURE NEWS
Chaudhry asks whether PM is related to Acting FICAC Commissioner and raises issue that PM cannot recommend who should be head of FICAC
Serious concerns are now being raised by Fiji Labour Party Leader, Mahendra Chaudhry on whether Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika is related to ...
8 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Lineage of Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara traced back to Ratu Seru Cakobau - Ratu Kalivati
The Vanua of Bau recognises the installation of the Tui Nayau and the Sau ni Vanua o Lau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara, as a sign of respect and ...
8 hours ago

Danger zone : Pac Harbour Fire Station closes this Friday due to NFA relocation issues
Pacific Harbour Fire Station is closing down as the plot is owned by Damodar Yatu Lau Pte Limited which has taken it back for development and the ...
8 hours ago

State asks for more time in case of man who trespassed at PM's residence
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked for more time in the case of Mokani farmer, Waisea Naitini who was charged with ...
9 hours ago

Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Vimlesh Sagar recharged after discontinued case
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Chief Financial Officer, Vimlesh Sagar have been ...
9 hours ago

COMPOL says it is easy to assume things based on a video that shows only one side of the story
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu is reiterating calls for members of the public to cooperate with Police or face possible charges. This ...
9 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Tui Nayau and Tui Lau Installation
The ceremony for the installation of the Tui Nayau Sau ni Vanua o Lau will be held tomorrow, while the installation ceremony of the Tui Lau will be held in Tubou on Thursday.
13 hours ago

CFL 40th Birthday
CFL’s 40th Anniversary celebrations to culminate with free concert at Albert Park on ...
3 days ago

Pacific Mini Games in Palau, 2025
Full coverage of Team Fiji's journey through the 2025 Palau Games.
5 days ago

TOP