Fiji’s concerned about the increase in drug related crimes – Tikoduadua

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration Pio Tikoduadua says Fiji’s current laws are inadequate to deal with the drug issues and they are working on legal reforms to be able to write up the laws that allow the government to deal with these things decisively.

Tikoduadua highlighted this when questioned on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan on what is the strategy to tackle the issues of drug users committing heinous crimes when under the influence of drugs such as raping their mothers and sisters and also committing murders.

Tikoduadua says he thinks the judiciary is not empowered properly to deal with these things right now.

He says it's most unfortunate that these things are happening and they are happening under the influence of drugs.

The Minister hopes that the proposed narcotics framework, particularly in the harm reduction and demand reduction area enables them to work together to reduce the harm.

He adds the government is committed to dealing with it but it is a process that we have to take even though the demand is urgent.

Last month, Assistant Commissioner of Police – Internal Affairs and Professional Standards, Sakeo Ganivatu had spoken in a Methodist Church Youth camp in Lautoka where he briefly elaborated on the execution style killing of a driver. ACP Ganivatu says the driver was allegedly working with another man in dealing drugs which resulted in the murder of the victim after the person allegedly did not receive his cut from the proceeds of selling drugs.

He says on that day, the man had given the driver 2 buckets of marijuana to sell, and when the person did not get his cut, he forcefully took the victim to a secluded place and allegedly murdered the victim.

He says when the investigators and police turned the body over, the man’s throat was cut open and his windpipe was hanging out.

Ganivatu says crimes related to drugs are increasing, and there was a 94 percent increase in drug-related crimes in January this year.

He adds that Fiji is one small island, but it is well-known throughout the world for drugs.