Three men who were arrested after the Nadonumai drug raids on Monday, have been charged with obstruction and will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court today.
Police confirm the first suspect a 29-year-old man has been charged with one count of found in possession of illicit drugs.
They say the 27 and 23 year old men have been charged with one count each of serious assault.
The 27-year-old man is also charged with 2 counts of serious assault and obstructing police in execution of their duty while the 23 year old man is charged with obstructing police in execution of their duty.
The three remain in custody at the Lami Police Station after a joint task force comprising of officers from the Police Mobile Force, Fiji Detector Dog Unit and Divisional operations team conducted the raid in Nadonumai.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Livai Driu says the three men were arrested for cases of alleged unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
The joint task force was deployed to the Nadonumai area to conduct two raids whereby one netted alleged substances believed to be marijuana, gadgets believed to have been stolen and equipment allegedly used for packing illicit substances.
The stepped up operations follow a public appeal from Minister Pio Tikoduadua after residents raised concerns on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on the 23rd of last month about hard drugs being openly sold at the Nadonumai roundabout.
Residents had said that drug operations continue despite police interventions, with sellers reportedly tipped off before police arrive.
ACP Driu says the focus this festive season is to disrupt criminal networks and put pressure on their operations through the conduct of such raids.
He adds the sharing of information is vital in the war on drugs and is urging members of the public to call Crime Stoppers on 919 and report any suspicious activities.
