Fears are growing in Lau after fishermen on Ogea Island reportedly discovered multiple packages suspected to contain illicit drugs washed ashore, raising concerns about the threat such substances could pose to island communities.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Elenoa, who lives on Ogea Island, says villagers first became aware of the suspicious packages last Thursday night when local fishermen went out fishing and came across what they believed to be illicit drugs.
She says the same fishermen returned to sea on Friday night and discovered more packages of a similar nature, with more than 10 reportedly found during the second sighting.
Elenoa says the matter was immediately reported to the Turaga ni Koro, who then contacted the Lakeba Police Station, the nearest police station to Ogea Island.
She says officers from the Lakeba Police Station travelled to Ogea Island on Sunday and took statements from those involved.
Meanwhile, captain of the MV Yavirau, and social media content creator Uluilakeba Fleet, highlighted the issue in a social media post yesterday.
Fleet claims that information received by the vessel indicated that parts of Lau were being affected by suspected drugs washing ashore, with Ogea recording the largest discovery so far.
He is calling for urgent surveillance and monitoring assistance in the Lau and Maritime regions, saying it is necessary for the security and welfare of communities in the area.
We have sent questions to the Fiji Police Force regarding the reported discovery of the suspected drug packages and the investigations being carried out.
The Fiji Police Force is yet to respond.
