10 January, 2026, 10:50 am Central - 29°C Rain

Opposition admits shortcomings in tackling drug crisis and calls for independent Narcotics Bureau

Opposition admits shortcomings in tackling drug crisis and calls for independent Narcotics Bureau

By Rashika Kumar
07/12/2024
Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruitatu and Opposition MP Jone Usamate

Leader of Opposition, Inia Seruitatu says they in the previous government were probably overconfident in what they were doing to tackle the drugs issue and the pending work that needed to be done.

When questioned by the media during a press conference on whether they could have handled the drugs problem better, Seruiratu says they could have probably done better as well.

Seruitatu says that they were given advice on what they were doing and what things are in progress.

When questioned by fijivillage News if he admits that it was the wrong position, Seruitatu says it's up to interpretation.

He also says he convinced Drug Free World Fiji founder Kalesi Volatabu to come to Fiji when he met her in Brisbane and says she is doing an excellent job.

Seruiratu says if drugs are the biggest threat we are facing apart from climate change, then the effort and the resources must be allocated accordingly so that the Narcotics Bureau can take off and address the issue.

Opposition MP Jone Usamate says the volume of drugs coming to this part of the world is not the same.

He says we are right on the edge of the big markets in Australia, New Zealand, and people are using submersibles and all kinds of different strategies to get the drugs.

Usamate says when the volume goes up, the parameters and the methods that used to counter it has to change and he believes that this is what the government is trying to do now, to evolve that according to the situation again.

He also says the Narcotics Bureau that comes under the Ministry of Defence needs to be independent.

FEATURE NEWS
83 road fatalities in 2025, speeding remains the main cause of fatalities - LTA
83 road fatalities were recorded by the Land Transport Authority in 2025, which is a 25 percent increase compared to 2024.LTA Chief Executive Officer ...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Kanguva and Aadujeevitham make it to Oscars
Indian cinema is making waves at the Oscars again, with six films including Kanguva and Aadujeevitham eligible for Best Picture at the 97th ...
37 minutes ago

Warli Art Workshop connects Fijians to ancient Indian culture
A three-day Warli art workshop, organised by the Indian High Commission in Fiji, in collaboration with the Fiji Museum, ends today as part of its ...
40 minutes ago

Passenger claims overcrowding on Interlink bus service, raises safety concerns
A passenger travelling on an Interlink ferry from Labasa to Suva has raised serious concerns about overcrowding and passenger safety on connecting ...
1 hour ago

Rape accused acquitted as court finds complainant truthful but investigation flawed
A former police officer has been acquitted of rape and two other sexual charges after the High Court found that while the complainant was a truthful ...
1 hour ago

World Hindi Day celebrates shared linguistic heritage of India and Fiji
The Indian High Commission in Fiji and the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre are organizing a series of events to mark World Hindi Day, celebrating ...
3 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
8 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
19 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
19 days ago

TOP