Police made 18 drug arrests in first five days of 2025

Eighteen people have been arrested for possession of illicit drugs just five days into the new year, including two students detained on New Year’s Day and a woman arrested this morning.

Police say on New Year’s Day, a 17-year-old student was arrested near Lami Village after being found with a clear zip-lock bag containing dried leaves and five sachets of dried leaves, believed to be marijuana.

A 16-year-old student from Nauluvatu was also arrested after being caught with 11 sachets of dried leaves, also believed to be marijuana.

Additional arrests include a 30-year-old baker from Wailea Settlement found with six sachets, a 35-year-old farmer from Kilikoso, Labasa with nine sachets, and a 42-year-old unemployed man from Qelewaqa, Labasa caught with dried leaves suspected to be marijuana at the Labasa market taxi stand.

On the second day of the year, two men were arrested at Labasa Market, a 35-year-old farmer from Nakoba Village with three sachets and a 32-year-old laborer from Naodamu with nine sachets of suspected marijuana.

A 40-year-old man from Qelewaqa was arrested at the Labasa Bus Stand with 11 sachets, while a 40-year-old chef from Valebasoga, Labasa was caught carrying four sachets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana.

On the third day, while on patrol, police arrested four young men along Queens Road in Velovelo, Lautoka, for possession of 48 sachets of dried leaves suspected to be marijuana.

Yesterday, a 58-year-old man was arrested along Reservoir Road in Suva with eight sachets, and a 26-year-old bulk boy in Kinoya was found with two sachets of suspected marijuana.

A 24-year-old man from Verata Street, Nausori, was arrested for possessing two clear zip-lock bags containing white crystals believed to be methamphetamine, while a 25-year-old man from Waqadra was arrested on Naisoso Road with five clear plastic bags containing white crystals suspected to be methamphetamine.

During a training exercise in Tukavesi yesterday, police discovered containers holding 334 green plants, believed to be marijuana, ranging from 10cm to 174cm in height.

This morning, a woman was arrested along Nailuva for possessing a clear plastic bag containing white crystals suspected to be methamphetamine.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACPO) Livai Driu says drug arrests are continuing daily and thanked stakeholders for their support.

Driu says information from Turaga ni Koros and community leaders who oppose drug activity has been instrumental in these efforts.

ACPO Driu reaffirmed the police commitment to the war on drugs, emphasising, they cannot do this alone and will need everyone’s support.