Deterring prospective money launderers from using Fiji as a channel for their illicit funds is no less important than deterring drug traffickers.
This was highlighted by the New Zealand Acting High Commissioner Halia Haddad while officiating at the opening of the Fiji Dog Detector Unit Suva Complex.
She says the kennels are an important part of a wider programme aimed at supporting Fiji to strengthen border security.
Haddad also highlighted that the Nadi Detector Dog Unit has seen several significant successes since it opened in 2016.
She says that in only its first six months of operation the Detector Dog Unit based at the Nadi International Airport was instrumental in intercepting 13 cases of hard drugs, worth more than $FJD6.1 million adding that the successes have only continued with the Detector Dog Unit operation leading to 35 seizures of drugs, cash and weapons.
Haddad adds that since Fiji is the travel and transport hub of the Pacific, this programme has broader regional significance by increasing detection and seizures of prohibited goods including illicit drugs and currency.
She says that the programme will help counter organized criminal groups using Fiji as a transit point for illicit activities.
The Nadi and Suva Detector Dog Units have 6 officers and 4 dogs in each unit that are in 24/7 operation in both locations.
