Methamphetamine are often seized in towns and cities or the suburbs, but the trend where they are raiding villages, is a concern says Assistant Commissioner of Police for Operations Livai Driu.
ACP Driu says an increase in drug-related arrests in the Lautoka to Nadi corridor has prompted Police to ask community and village leaders to adopt tougher, stringent measures in protecting members of their community.
He has revealed that a number of drug raids were conducted within village settings and settlements that resulted in finding white and green drugs.
Driu says they are concerned because they raided a village where four people were arrested, two men and a woman from the said village, and a man who resides in Narere, Suva.
He says white substances believed to be methamphetamine, dried leaves believed to be marijuana and cash believed to be from proceeds of crime were seized.
ACP Driu says there have been other arrests for methamphetamine within the Nadi – Sabeto areas, and while operations have been beefed up to curb the illicit trade, they believe so much more can be achieved if those in a position of leadership do more by being vigilant.
He says they hope that the village elders and those holding positions of trust and authority will speak up and report suspicious activities, as they rely on the sharing of information to be able to curb the illicit drug trade.
ACP Driu adds tackling the drug trade requires the participation of all members of the community and stakeholders and those choosing to remain silent, or are turning a blind eye, are only going to make matters worse for their children and the innocent members of the community.
