Ops Sasamaki seized drugs

The Operation Sasamaki team based in Kadavu had successfully seized more than 31,000 marijuana plants in the tikina of Ono earlier this week.

The Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu said as investigators pursue leads in identifying the owner of the farm, the momentum of operations by the team based in Kadavu has led to the successful seizures of marijuana plants from a number of farms with arrests of suspects.

In another raid, a 19-year-old man was arrested following the discovery of close to 4,000 plants from a farm in the tikina of Yale.

In Suva, raids conducted on inter-island vessels have also resulted in seizures and arrests, and on a few occasions, bags containing illicit substances detected by K9 officers were left unattended and investigations are pursuing the owners.

In Keiyasi, arrests have been made at snap roadblocks as teams aided by technology continue to trek the difficult terrains after identifying farms.

The Commissioner of Police said the morale of officers involved in Operations Sasamaki is high, as everyone is working with a shared mission of disrupting, destabilising and dismantaling the illicit drug networks.

"I understand many things are being said against the operational efforts, however, we will not stop as as we are committed to seeing this through for the sake of our children, grandchildren and future generation."

"Despite the challenges faced out in remote and often difficult terrains, officers remain committed to the task at hand. We anticipate resistance and hostility from those involved, but we will not back down."

The Commissioner of Police is again calling for community support.

"We understand that there is a reluctance by some in accepting the current approach calling for more efforts on white drugs, and i want to give my assurances that the momentum is the same for both. As long as it's deemed illegal, we are coming after you."

Seizures and arrests for unlawful possession and unlawful cultivation are also being made in the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Divisions for both white and green drugs.

The Commissioner of Police is also reiterating his zero tolerance policy on members of the organisation working against current efforts.