Thirty-three arrests were made during a special joint drug operation between the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) in the Northern Division.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Livai Driu said the joint operation began on August 19 and involved the deployment of officers from the Fiji Detector Dog Unit and Narcotics Bureau to assist Police personnel in the North with the conduct of drug operations.

ACP Driu said the focus was to target suppliers and this was achieved as a number of arrests and seizures made were of drugs intended for sale.

“Marijuana packed and ready for sale were seized by the team and this (yesterday) morning there was a successful raid at a kava bar which resulted in the seizure of several small plastics of dried leaves believed to be marijuana hidden inside a mattress”.

Confiscated items believed to be drugs. Photo: Police Media Cell

ACP Driu said more than 33 grams of white drugs were also seized signifying a shift in crime trends.

“We had seizures of methamphetamine in Labasa, Savusavu and Nabouwalu, indicating the change in drug trends in the division, and we are focusing on those supplying within, or to the division”.

ACP Driu, the head of Police operations, said the deployment and change in operations strategies was specifically aimed at the suppliers, as the cases found in possession had risen during the last month.

The estimated street value of marijuana seized was more than $1.7m and as the focus is on the cultivators and suppliers, ACP Driu said information from members of the public was important towards the success of ongoing efforts in tackling the illicit drug trade.

The joint operation team also conducted border, sea, farm, long range and red spot patrols as well as conducting awareness within communities.

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