More Drugs in Kadavu

More marijuana plants continue to be uprooted in Kadavu as another team moves in to continue the efforts of eradicating the illicit trade.

This past week more than 1,000 plants were up-rooted and bullets of dried leaves tested positive to be marijuana were seized from five different raids.

The first raid was conducted in Nuku, Nakasaleka, resulting in the seizure of more than 180 marijuana plants, dried leaves wrapped in aluminum foil and smoking apparatuses.

A 55year old farmer from Nuku village was arrested as well as a 33year old farmer from Nadroga.

The second raid conducted at Vagaloa Settlement, Vacalea, Nakasaleka resulted in the seizure of more than 540 marijuana plants.

The owner of the farm is yet to be located.

The third raid conducted at Vaivai Settlement, Vacalea, Nakasaleka resulted in the seizure of close to 400 marijuana plants.

The fourth raid was conducted at Nao Settlement while the fifth discovery was made by Galoa Villagers and they turned the marijuana plants over to Police based at the Kadavu Police Station.

Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdul Khan says to date more than 1.5 tonnes has been uprooted and destroyed in Kadavu.

"A lot of speculation and allegations are made against Police when drug operations are conducted and we assure members of the public that all plants seized to date in Kadavu have been destroyed".

"We acknowledge the support of the Judiciary as we are able to immediately apply for a court order to have the plants destroyed and all plants seized are taken to a safe location and burnt and no drugs are brought to Suva or kept in our care".

ACP Khan said the institution maintains the No drug policy and if any officer is found to be involved in drug related activities, as per the standing directive of the Commissioner of Police they will be removed from the institution.

Another team was deployed to continue the special operations in Kadavu.