There are now revelations that some frontline border control officials may be allegedly involved in the human trafficking scheme which has resulted in the arrest of 13 Indian nationals and two locals from a Fiji company.
As earlier highlighted by Fijivillage, the scheme which involved luring Indian nationals into Fiji for better jobs in return for thousands of dollars, include a group in India, a company in Fiji and some officials.
It is clear that those dealing with the stamping of passports and the people involved in the entry of immigration travel arrival and departure data have to be involved for this process to be carried through.
Director of Immigration Nemani Vuniwaqa said they have now identified certain officers and this information has been forwarded to the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority Border Control general manager today.
A number of Indian nationals are in the country illegally as a human trafficking scheme is slowly uncovered in Fiji.
Fijivillage has now established that the major scam involves some people in India who lure people who want to leave their country for a better future.
These people are then linked up with a company in Fiji.
The Fiji company then arranges the Indian nationals to come into the country with promises made to the Indians that they will receive the necessary permits and be given jobs.
A fee of between $6,000 to $8,000 is then charged for every person who comes in.
So far there are 13 illegal Indian nationals in custody, 12 of these people were rounded up after raids at Laucala Beach, Nasole and other areas in Nasinu.
The 13th person surrendered herself to the police on Saturday.
The 13 illegal Indian nationals are now assisting the police, customs and immigration officials in catching everyone who is involved in this scam.
Officials have told us that there are definitely many more people who may have entered Fiji illegally and are still staying in the country.
Immigration Director Nemani Vuniwaqa said the FIRCA Border Control Unit also has access to the Immigration Department computers and they have to investigate how certain details of the Indian nationals was logged in although no proper applications and approvals were made.
He said the arrival and departure details continued to be logged into the computers although the Indian nationals were just staying in Fiji.
Customs officials have referred all queries to FIRCA CEO Jitoko Tikolevu.
He is currently in a meeting.
Officials allegedly involved in trafficking scheme
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