People aged between 18 and 35 years account for the largest share of those arrested in drug-related cases in Fiji, with the age group making up 56 per cent of the accused persons arrested.
This was highlighted by Director Strategic Planning Senior Superintendent of Police Meli Bola Laliqavoka while addressing the 2026 Vodafone Super U18 Deans champions, Suva Grammar School, during their courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police at Police Headquarters this morning.
Laliqavoka they recorded 941 drug-related cases between January and August 2026, highlighting the continuing scale of the country's drug problem.
The wider crime figures presented by police show that 1,339 cases were registered between January and August 2026.
He says of the five most prevalent offences, which together accounted for 67 percent of all recorded cases, theft was the leading offence at 26 percent, followed by assault causing bodily harm at 17 percent, burglary at 12 percent, unlawful possession of illicit drugs at 7 percent and criminal intimidation at 6 percent.
Laliqavoka adds that Western Division recorded the highest number of registered cases among the police divisions.
He also highlighted on the scale of illicit drugs entering Fiji between 2022 and 2025 where authorities confiscated 26.5 tonnes of cannabis, 4.5 tonnes of methamphetamine and 69.9 kilograms of cocaine.
He says this figures were presented as part of a broader call for stronger cooperation between police, schools, communities and young people in tackling drug-related crime.
Laliqavoka stresses that enforcement alone would not be enough to address the problem and encouraged young people to play an active role in prevention and advocacy.
He says that sports is one of the avenue for reaching young people, with police promoting partnerships with athletes, schools and community groups to deliver anti-drug messages.
The presentation also emphasised the role of families, schools, churches and communities in preventing young people from becoming involved in illicit drug activities.
