More drug seizures

Separate raids have resulted in the arrests of a suspect alleged to be involved in the cultivation of drugs and another alleged to be involved in the transportation of drugs from a maritime island.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Operations Livai Driu said a joint operation team consisting of police officers from the Central Division and Police Mobile Force conducted a raid in the terrains of Daku in Kadavu, whereby a 26-year old from the Daku village was arrested for an alleged case of unlawful cultivation of illicit drugs.

ACP Driu said the team raided the suspect’s farm whereby more than one thousand plants, loose plant materials and seeds believed to be marijuana were seized.

The seized substances have been sent for analysis as investigations continue.

In a separate raid in Nakasi, a man in his 20s was arrested by a joint team joint team after he was found with several large bags containing dried branches and leaves believed to be marijuana.

ACP Driu said the team had been pursuing information on the suspect's alleged involvement in the transportation of drugs namely marijuana from one of the maritime islands in the Eastern Division.

He added the raid conducted in Nakasi resulted in the seizure of two bags containing substances believed to be marijuana.

All seized substances have been sent for analysis.

The head of the Police Operations said divisional efforts in curbing illicit drugs is being backed by specialised units, as the intent is to disrupt and dismantle networks and ensure those involved are brought before the courts.

ACP Driu reiterated the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu’s intent on tackling the drug situation head on with operations focused on the role of supply reduction.

He added officers are committed to working with partners in curbing the illicit drug trade.