Major raids result in seizure of over 900 marijuana plants and arrests

Farm raids across Fiji resulting in the seizure of plants believed to be marijuana were conducted in Lau, Savusavu and Ovalau over the last 24-hour period where three people have been arrested.

Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations Livai Driu says the raids were consistent with divisional focus on disrupting the supply market, targeting cultivators and distributors of illicit drugs.

ACP Driu says a man is in police custody following a raid in Ovalau where more than 300 plants believed to be marijuana were seized while groceries believed to have been stolen from a school canteen were found.

He says a 20-year-old farmer was also arrested following a raid conducted by the Serious and Organised Crime and Intelligence, Crime Intel and officers from Savusavu in the Northern Division near Lea Village where more than 600 plants, dried branches and seedlings believed to be marijuana were seized.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man was taken into custody following a raid in the Southern Division in Tacirua, resulted in the seizure of dried branches and small plastic bags containing dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

All seized substances have been sent for analysis.