The Fiji Police Force Chief of Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rusiate Tudravu, continued his visit of Kadavu yesterday.

With close to 4000 plants found on one farm located in Levuka in the district of Yale, ACP Tudravu paid a visit to the village to speak to the elders about the concerns from Police on the involvement of youths in the drug trade.

“The elders have assured us of their support and in turn we have assured them of regular visits and an open line of communication so they can call us any time because we understand their reluctance to share information due to safety concerns,” he said.

“Some will try to take advantage of the links they have to a community or village however if there are any doubts about a person’s involvement in any illegal activities they must remember that choosing to keep silent can have negative outcomes for their families and community.

“We have urged them to think of the implications of allowing these people to operate in their villages because not only does it cast a negative image of their community, but there are young people who can be influenced into leading a similar life of crime and that is something that we are trying to avoid.”

The turaga ni koro of Levuka Village, Jese Veiseyaki, said what had transpired over the past few days was not only shocking but had cast a negative shadow over the village and all who had links to their community.

“We are happy to have the assurances of the Police Force and the visit by ACP Tudravu brings a new sense of comfort because at times it is not always easy to share information,” Mr Veiseyaki said.

“These past few days has not been easy because of the way our village has been talked about and we will be doing everything possible to ensure that it is not repeated.”

ACP Tudravu and the operations team also spoke to elders at Tavuki Village to emphasise the Force’s commitment to tackle drugs on the island.

As of Wednesday three men on the island have been charged for their alleged involvement in the cultivation of illicit drugs while one has been charged with one count of being found in possession of illicit drugs. All four were escorted to Suva on Wednesday.

Source: Police Media Cell

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