Fiji Yachts 'drugs, smuggling and prostitution'

by Harold Koi, Mereseini Marau,Fiji Times on 22 Jan 2008 Fiji Finance Minister yesterday said yachts were becoming a highly suspected source for drug peddling, smuggling of contraband goods and even endangered species of flora and fauna, and prostitution, and 'expected marina owners to understand' Fiji's newly restricted stay for yachts.

The interim Government remains firm in its stand to restrict yachts from staying longer than three to six months in the country as it continues to investigate drug smuggling and prostitution allegations.

In a statement yesterday interim Finance Minister Mahendra Chaudhry said the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority was forced to revise its policy on visiting yachts because the system was being grossly abused by people who were not genuine tourists.

Mr Chaudhry said Fiji was losing millions of dollars in duty from people who were abusing the system for their own interests.

Savusavu Yacht Club director Geoff Taylor earlier lashed out at the interim Government for restricting yachters from staying more than three months and according to Mr Taylor this had greatly affected tourism and Savusavu.

Mr Chaudhry said duty- free entry of yachts only applied to those bona fide tourists who were allowed a three-month permit which could also be extended to another three months.

'A total of six months in the country is more than sufficient,' said Mr Chaudhry

People come and park their yachts here for months at a time, they do business in Fiji, own residences and use Fiji as a duty-free base to fly out and do business elsewhere,' he said.

Mr Chaudhry said yachts were becoming a highly suspected source for drug peddling, smuggling of contraband goods and even endangered species of flora and fauna, and prostitution.

'I expect marina owners here to understand why policy changes are being initiated,' he said.

Meanwhile the Fiji Tourism Resource Owners Association feels the longer the yachties stay in the country, the better it will be for everyone especially those whose livelihood depended on yachts.

The association is concerned with the new policy directive issued by the interim Government to restrict yachties to only three months stay in the country, saying it was detrimental to the people there.

Association secretary Meli Bogileka said the livelihood of most islanders especially those in the Yasawa Group would be affected.

Several marina developers have expressed disappointment at the reduced stay, saying it would affect the viability of their ventures.

Vuda Marina in Nadi has confirmed putting on hold a multi-million project after the announcement of the reduced length of stay.