More drug seized

More than 1,200 plants believed to be marijuana were seized from a farm in the Nukunuku area, Natewa, Savusavu.

Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations (ACP) Livai Driu said a team from Savusavu Police Station conducted the operation on the 5th of June where over 1,200 plants were uprooted and seized.

The owner of the farm is yet to be established as investigations continue.

Also in the Northern Division, a 20-year-old farmer was arrested by Tukavesi Police for a case of alleged unlawful possession of dried leaves to be marijuana yesterday.

ACP Driu said other arrests for the possession of illicit drugs have also been made in the past few days as operations aggressively target those involved in the trade of white and green drugs with the help of law enforcement agencies.

In the Central Division, a 32-year-old man was arrested in Suva after he was allegedly found with white substances believed to be methamphetamine and several used and new insulin needles.

ACP Driu said a high number of arrests were recorded in the South and Western Divisions.

Yesterday, a man was arrested along Lakeba Street in Samabula, for a case of alleged possession following the discovery of dried leaves tested positive as marijuana. 

At the Nanuku Settlement, a 20-year-old man was taken into custody following the discovery white crystals believed to be methamphetamine.

In the Western Division, a 32-year-old man was arrested at the Nadi carrier stand following the discovery of dried leaves believed to be marijuana. 

Also arrested in Nadi, at Qeleloa was a 28-year-old man, allegedly found with several sachets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in Korovuto following the discovery of dried leaves believed to be marijuana and white substances believed to be methamphetamine.

At the Lautoka minivan stand, a 28-year-old man was arrested for a case of alleged unlawful possession of illicit drugs believed to be marijuana.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations adds that a number of suspects were also charged and produced in court for cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs last week.

ACP Driu said the tempo of drug operations has been heightened to mitigate crimes linked to drugs.

“We are trying to break the vicious drug cycle, one case at a time, from the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and possession”.

He adds integration efforts are continuing with stakeholders through existing social, traditional and religious structures.

“The Fiji Police Force is encouraged by the support shown by various sectors of our communities in taking a stand on the war on drugs. Police cannot do it alone and we need the community to come on board and help law enforcement curb the sale and use of illicit drugs”.

“Faith based organisations are taking a stand by preaching its harmful impacts from the pulpit, the Education Ministry actively addressing the issue in schools, and many more affirmative actions adopted by various community and members of civil society, and Police through the leadership of the Acting Commissioner of Police will ensure operations maintain ethical standards through enforcement”.