There were mixed feelings expressed following a raid yesterday at the Labasa Market by Police officers.

The raid, which had the market closed for at least 30 minutes, left some vendors frustrated.

“I don’t know why Police officers have to do a raid on the busiest day and hour of the week,” market vendor Timoci Nasilasila said.

However, another market vendor, Sanjeshni Devi, called on vendors to stop using the market to do their illegal activities because it affected others when such raids were conducted.

“Labasa is a small area and bad news spread very fast and those who know that we are market vendors’ question us on the street of what we are doing,” Ms Devi said.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that during the raid they seized liquids believed to be rice whiskey.

“Some people have been taken in for questioning and further details will be released later as police continue with the investigations,” she said.

The raid was conducted by Police following on a tip-off.

Police in Labasa have confirmed that they were aware of people doing “illegal activities” and would not hesitate to act on any tip off. It is understood that 12 stalls were raided.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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