A 29-year-old man who is believed to be a key player in the local illicit drug trade, has been arrested at his home in Lautoka after being allegedly found with white crystals confirmed to be methamphetamine, white powder confirmed to be cocaine and dried leaves confirmed to be marijuana.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Crime, Mesake Waqa says they also seized smoking apparatuses, a digital weighing machine, a packing machine and local and foreign currencies believed to be proceeds of crime.
He says two other men and a 20-year-old woman have also been arrested.
ACP Waqa says during the execution of the search warrant, the 29-year-old suspect allegedly released his dog and tried to flee the scene but was arrested by officers.
He says the arrest of the individual considered to be a key player in the distribution of white drugs is a significant step towards the Fiji Police’s role of supply reduction as stipulated in the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028.
ACP Waqa reassured members of the public that the Fiji Police is committed to seeing key players in the distribution of illicit drugs brought to justice, adding such efforts take time noting the evidence-based approach to ensure a successful prosecution.
He says in another raid, three men and two women were arrested in Namaqumaqua, Serua.
ACP Waqa says during the raid they seized mixtures of white liquid and white substances confirmed to be methamphetamine.
He further says the Serious Organised Crime Unit had previously operated as the Fiji Police’s Narcotics Bureau and recently changed its name, following the formation of the Counter Narcotics Bureau operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration.
