Eight men are in custody following eight separate raids as the Divisional Taskforces step up the momentum on the crackdown on illegal drug activities.
Police Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho says the war on drugs is one of the main focus areas during this festive season in anticipation of people wanting to earn a quick dollar and considering the amount of information received about these activities, it’s clear to say that people have had enough and want those involved to face the consequences of their illegal acts.
In the Northern Division, a raid conducted on Tuesday night at Korolevu, Seaqaqa resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old farmer following the discovery of more than 300 plants believed to be marijuana on his farm.
And in the Western Division a raid was conducted in Nadi at the home of a 36-year-old nightclub manager following the discovery of a plastic bag containing dried leaves believed to be marijuana as well as the discovery of white crystals believed to be methamphetamine.
Police officers from Sigatoka also stopped and searched a vehicle driven by a 42-year-old man of Nawaka Nadi where dried leaves believed to be marijuana was found in the boot of the vehicle.
The latest raid conducted at 4am this morning by a team of officers from the Valelevu Police Station resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old taxi driver following the discovery of 2 large parcels of dried leaves believed to be marijuana.
Information was received of the suspect’s alleged involvement in the illegal trade and a team conducted a raid at this home in Sagali Road.
In earlier raids conducted by the Southern Division Taskforce team yesterday in Suva, Raiwaqa and Nabua, three men were arrested for their alleged involvement in the illegal trade.
A 60-year-old man was arrested at Berry Road, a 37-year-old man from Kadavu was arrested at Jittu Estate and a 29-year-old self‑employed man of Nabua was also taken in
In the first raid conducted in Suva, several zip‑lock bags containing dried leaves believed to be marijuana, bags containing crystal like substances believed to be methamphetamine and cash was seized from the 60-year-old man’s residence.
In the second raid, more than 10 large parcels of dried leaves believed to be marijuana and cash was seized from the home where the 37-year-old man of Kadavu was residing in Jittu Estate while the third raid in Nabua resulted in the arrest of a 29-year-old man after parcels of dried leaves believed to be marijuana was found in his house.
A joint raid was also conducted by the Southern and Eastern Division Taskforce team and they discovered more than 10 parcels of dried leaves and branches believed to be marijuana at the home of a 45-year-old man in Naiyala sub‑division, Nadali in Nausori.
All suspects are in custody as the seized substances have been sent for analysis.
Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho says the fact that the public are coming forward with information is truly encouraging and calls on people to utilize the Command Centre contact numbers made available as well as Crime Stoppers line on 919.
He says they will protect the identification of anyone that gives information and people should take away the fear of drug lords as they cannot beat the law.
