POLICE SHUT DOWN MASSIVE ILLEGAL DRUG FACTORY ON FIJI

Island's Lax Laws Fostered Lab Feeding World Markets

Police have uncovered one of the world's biggest illegal drug factories on
the tiny South Pacific island of Fiji.

A special task force raided three fortified warehouses in an isolated
industrial section on the outskirts of the Fijian capital Suva on
Wednesday. Officers uncovered a secret methamphetamine lab capable of
producing a half-tonne a week of the party drug "ice."

Police say they seized enough drugs and chemicals to make $540-million
worth of crystal methamphetamine, which they believe was destined for
Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States.

Triad gangs with links to Hong Kong and Malaysia set up the huge illegal
drug operation in Fiji to exploit its archaic drug laws and crucial
transportation links.

Four Chinese citizens from Hong Kong and three Fijians were arrested in the
raid. Police in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand launched a
second round of raids yesterday and detained another seven people.

Among those arrested was a 40-year-old man in Hong Kong who is suspected of
laundering money from the Fiji lab. Police found US$3.84-million in cash
and a large amount of jewellery in his apartment.

Ironically, Fiji's parliament yesterday opened debate on a long-postponed
bill to reform the island's drug laws.

The bill proposes finally to allow police to tap phones in drug
investigations and increases sentences for serious drug offences from a
maximum of 20 years to life in prison. It would also make it illegal to
manufacture methamphetamines.

It is technically not illegal to make the drug in Fiji, though it is
illegal to possess it.

The joint Fiji customs and police organized crime unit was tipped off some
time ago to the huge drug lab preparing to operate behind the rusting wire
fences of an industrial compound on the outskirts of Suva. But they had to
wait 14 months before launching Operation Outrigger and raiding the place
this week.

"We have been waiting for the appropriate moment to move in, and that is
when they commence production," said Andrew Hughes, Fiji's Police Commissioner.

The Fiji drug operation, which masqueraded as a food import-export
business, was being run from a warehouse and factory complex rented by a
Hong Kong businessman.

Wednesday's raid emphasized Asia's rapidly changing drug trade, where
crystal methamphetamine -- also known as speed, poor man's crack, ice,
crank, crystal meth or ya ba -- is rapidly taking over from heroin as a
drug of choice and a top illegal export.

Smoking the drug is said to provide a high so intense and long-lasting
addiction can be instant. Withdrawal is excruciating and brain damage
resulting from the drug's use can be permanent. Violent behaviour is also
common with the drug, which can cause deep anxiety, depression and paranoia.