76 washed-up parcels test positive for cocaine

All 76 parcels of suspected illicit drugs recovered from the Lau Group, Qamea, Kadavu and Beqa shores have tested positive for cocaine.

The latest discovery was made on Tuesday, July 7, when officers from Savusavu Police Station recovered a clear plastic package containing a white substance believed to be illicit drugs after it washed ashore on Namena Island.

Crime Scene Investigation officers retrieved the package, while the Criminal Investigations Department is leading the investigation.

Police said the latest seizure brings the total number of recovered parcels to 76, all of which have tested positive for cocaine.

The Fiji Police Force is working with the Australian Federal Police to establish the source and intended destination of the illicit commodities.

Police also acknowledged traditional leaders, community leaders and members of the public for promptly reporting the discoveries, allowing officers to recover the packages before they could be interfered with.

Members of the public are urged to immediately report any suspicious packages by calling 1681 and to avoid handling them.

Separate marijuana seizure

Meanwhile, the Northern Division Operations Sasamaki team, acting on information received during an investigation into the alleged unlawful possession of illicit drugs, uncovered a farm in the Qaravutu farming area containing more than 5,600 plants believed to be marijuana.

The plants were seized and placed in police custody pending analysis.

One suspect has been taken into custody for questioning, and investigations are continuing.