Houses in the Navosa district built from money made in the sale of marijuana will be demolished.

This was confirmed to the Fiji Sun by the Fiji Police Force’s Chief of Intelligence and Investigations (CII) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Luke Navela.

He said they had already received the court order for the demolision and they would now take action since the houses could not be sold to recover the money since they were in villages.

“If these houses were in towns, urban or semi-urban areas, and on rent, they could be sold. The money from the sale would be handed over to the Government,” ACP Navela said. He also said this had to be done to put a stop to the cultivation of marijuana in the district.

When contacted yesterday, Ratu Tevita Makutu, a spokesperson for Nadroga/Navosa chief Ratu Kini Vosailagi, said he would brief his chief on the latest development and would comment later.

However he said, the Nadroga/Navosa chief had supported Operation Cavuraka and had asked those involved in the Navosa district to refrain from cultivating marijuana.

The law, he said, would take its own course since the cultivation of marijuana was illegal.

Meanwhile, according to the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, Operation Cavuraka had been a success.

He congratulated the CII and his team for their hard work.

He said the major cases had been a test of their and capabilities, and he was happy to receive positive feedback on how they had conducted their work.

Phase One of Operation Cavuraka ended yesterday and the Police officers involved have returned to their posts.

Those from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces who were part of the operation would still be with officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who were laying charges against the marijuana farmers.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback:  maikab@fijisun.com.fj