More than 1,200 plants believed to be marijuana uprooted in Savusavu

Police have seized more than 1,200 plants believed to be marijuana from a farm in the Nukunuku area, Natewa, Savusavu.

Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations (ACP) Livai Driu says a team from the Savusavu Police Station conducted an operation yesterday where over 1,200 plants were uprooted and seized.

He says the farm owner is yet to be established as investigations continue.

Another 20-year-old farmer was arrested yesterday by Tukavesi Police for allegedly unlawfully being in possession of dried leaves to be marijuana.

ACP Driu says other arrests for the possession of illicit drugs have also been made in the past few days as operations aggressively target those involved in the trade of white and green drugs with the help of law enforcement agencies.

ACP Driu highlighted that a high number of arrests were recorded in the Southern and Western Divisions.

In the Central Division, a 32-year-old man was arrested in Suva after he was allegedly found with white substances believed to be methamphetamine and also several used and new insulin needles.

Yesterday, a man was arrested along Lakeba Street in Samabula for allegedly being in possession of dried leaves that tested positive for marijuana.

ACP Driu says at the Nanuku Settlement, a 20-year-old man was arrested following the discovery of white crystals believed to be methamphetamine.

In the Western Division, a 32-year-old man was arrested at the Nadi carrier stand following the discovery of dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

Also in Nadi, a 28-year-old man was allegedly found with several sachets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana at Qeleloa.

A 31-year-old man was arrested in Korovuto following the discovery of dried leaves believed to be marijuana and white substances believed to be methamphetamine.

At the Lautoka minivan stand, a 28-year-old man was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of illicit drugs believed to be marijuana.

ACP Driu adds that several suspects were also charged and appeared in court for cases of unlawful possession of illicit drugs last week.

He says the tempo of drug operations has been heightened to mitigate crimes linked to drugs.

He adds they are trying to break the vicious drug cycle, one case at a time, from the cultivation, manufacturing, distribution and possession.

He says integration efforts are continuing with stakeholders through existing social, traditional and religious structures.

ACP Driu says the Fiji Police Force is encouraged by the support shown by various sectors of our communities in taking a stand on the war on drugs. He says Police cannot do it alone and they need the community to come on board and help law enforcement curb the sale and use of illicit drugs.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations says faith-based organisations are taking a stand by preaching the harmful impacts of drugs from the pulpit, the Education Ministry is actively addressing the issue in schools, and many more affirmative actions adopted by various communities and members of civil society, and Police through the leadership of the Acting Commissioner of Police will ensure operations maintain ethical standards through enforcement.