More on theft of crops and drug seizures

Collaborative efforts between Police and the community continue to yield positive results, and is reflective of a society that is adamant of curbing criminal activities.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu made the comment following two successful operational efforts involving members of the community.

ACP Driu said officers engaged in Operation Tagimoucia upon receipt of information from the community, pursued two men who were allegedly linked to a series of crop thefts in Taveuni.

The suspects were intercepted in Savusavu town yesterday, where officers managed to recover a significant amount of green yaqona, allegedly stolen from Taveuni.

ACP Driu said the team also seized dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

He said the special operations team on the island had been working closely with the community, and the arrests and seizures were an outcome of concerted collaborative efforts to curb the incidents of crop thefts on the island.

ACP Driu said the two suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

ACP Driu said another positive outcome of community partnerships, was the seizure of plants believed to be marijuana from several farms 

A joint search team consisting of police and youths of Nawi Village in pursuit of another suspect linked to ongoing investigations, resulted in the discovery of farms with green plants believed to be marijuana. 

ACP Driu has acknowledged the community support, adding the way forward was to strengthen networking amongst police and the community, as the solutions to crime lie within the communities.