Marijuana Cultivation Alternative Needed

Calls have been made to the interim government to look for another alternative source of income to replace marijuana cultivation in the interior of Navosa.

Businessman and Conservative Alliance Party rep, Ropate Sivo said past governments have not tapped into the resources in the interior of Viti Levu such as Navosa and therefore must find alternative corps.

Sivo said government turning a blind eye to the youth or people in the interior leads to marijuana cultivation as a main source of income, even though these people know full well the social ills and consequences.

Meanwhile, three men appeared in the Sigatoka Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty.

20yr old Apolosi Veivewa and 22yr old Inasa Lagivala have been charged with cultivating 50 plants of Marijuana while 30yr old Alifereti Qiolele a farmer of Navosa, is charged with being in possession of 7.025mg of marijuana.

The case has been transferred to High Court where the three will be sentenced on 9th April. They have been remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, close to 11 tonnes of marijuana plants with a street value of $70 million dollars were confiscated in the last few days from the highlands of Navosa, which now sits at the Keyasi Police Station.
The samples have been sent to Koronivia Research station for analysis.

Police Spokesperson, Atunaisa Sokomuri confirms more raids are expected by the joint Police and Military.