A gun and 600 rounds of ammunition have been seized from the Tongan-registered ferry MV Malau in Suva Harbour this week.
The MV Malau, operated by Malau 75 Shipping Company, had arrived from Tonga for scheduled maintenance. The firearm shipment was reportedly documented in Tonga; however, the intended recipient in Fiji lacked the necessary firearms license.
Fiji’s Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, lauded the collaborative efforts of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Fiji Navy, and Fiji Police Force for the successful interception, stating that it “is testament to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated men and women.”
Investigations are ongoing, with authorities yet to disclose the identity of the Fijian recipient linked to the seized firearm and ammunition.
The MV Malau, a 60-meter-long vessel, has been servicing the Nuku’alofa-‘Eua route since its acquisition in August 2023, contributing to the social and economic development of Tonga’s ‘Eua island.
