6,659 drug cases recorded in 5 years with 1,615 cases recorded last year - ACP Raikaci

6,659 drug cases were recorded by the Fiji Police Force over the last five years, with last year seeing the highest with 1,615 cases.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Sakeo Raikaci, while revealing this during the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Annual Conference in Sigatoka, says there was a sudden drop of cases by 31 percent in 2021 due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, this doesn't mean the drug involvement also dropped.

He says the Police Force continues its war against drugs in terms of community awareness and operations leading to arrests and prosecutions.

He says they are going to schools, churches, communities and Provincial Meetings to create awareness.

He further says the festive season operations continue to see more arrests.

ACP Raikaci says the government is doing its bid in the efforts against drugs, and the formation of the new Narcotics Bearau will have an entire Ministry focusing only on the eradication of drugs.

He also asked all the lawyers to consider the current issue at hand, asking what will they consider, the intention of the government against drugs or the rights of the client who is in court because of drug-related offences.

The ODPP Conference concludes today.