3 men in custody after Nadonumai drug raid

3 men have been arrested and 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 a raid in Nadonumai today.

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.

ACP Driu had highlighted ongoing issues in Nadonumai, including school dropouts, house break-ins, drug and alcohol-related offences, and domestic violence.

He said a house-to-house profiling exercise was conducted up to the Nadonumai Methodist Church.

These concerns 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 say 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.