$539m Kadavu Drug Bust

A major drug bust has resulted in the seizure of marijuana plants found in Kadavu worth $539,586,000.

A total of 29,977 plants have been seized by the Fiji Police Force from 27 commercially set up marijuana farms in the interiors of Kadavu.

Out of it, 7.1 tonnes of marijuana found in the district of Yale, Kadavu, has been destroyed by the Police Force following an order granted by the Court. The Police Force were given approval to destroy the plants by the court considering the tonnage and distance to bring it down.

The Police team currently on duty in Kadavu found ants covered with fishing nets and coconut leaves to cover the whole farm in order to counter their drone, but were found after tracking.

Booby traps were placed along the track to the farm and covered with grass to disguise.

Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said these farms were the biggest cluster of farms that was identified by the Fiji Police Force.

Drone photo of one of the 27 farms in Kadavu.

At this stage, Brigadier-General Qiliho said the Force was exploring the possibility of local helicopter companies who could train the officers in identification of landing zones for insertion and extraction of manpower and the ability of helicopters to carry underslung loads if the plants were to be taken out of the area.

Minister for Defence and National Security and Policing, Inia Seruiratu said the fight against drugs would continue.

“We know the challenges we face in Fiji with the current environment, but we have made that commitment and we want our communities to be free from the influence and cultivation of drugs,” he said.

“This has long term security implications for our people and for the country and that is why we will be relentless in our efforts.”

Mr Seruiratu praised the Commissioner of Police and his team for their efforts and their sacrifices in curbing this issue.

He said the great work undertaken by the Commissioner of Police and his team was unprecedented.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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