Pubdate: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 Source: National Post (Canada) - -4227-a051-57265453935d Copyright: 2004 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Peter Goodspeed, National Post, with files from news services Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D