Children Caught with Meth, 2400+ Cases in a Year

Fiji recorded 2446 illicit drug cases between May 2024 and May 2025, with marijuana and methamphetamine continuing to dominate the illegal drug market-most offenders being young people aged between 18 and 35.

This was revealed by Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu during his address marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Suva yesterday.

Of the total 2446 drug cases reported, 2098 were related to marijuana, 343 to methamphetamine, and five to cocaine.

"The age group mostly involved in drugs were those between 18-35 years, with 1506 cases," Mr Tudravu said.

He added that children were not spared from the crisis.

Fifty juvenile offenders-under the age of 18-were recorded in the same period.

Alarmingly, three were caught with methamphetamine.

Waisale Serevi (front in blue shirt), in Suva on June 30, 2025. Photo: Ronald Kumar

While many had already heard drug-related statistics throughout the awareness week, his focus was to highlight what the Fiji Police Force had encountered-and what communities must now confront together.

"I want to briefly provide an overview of what the Fiji Police Force has been facing, hopefully generating discussions on what we need to do, TOGETHER, as families, communities, and a nation to achieve the goal of being illicit drug-free. The solution we hope to offer, you will hear, comes at little to no cost."

Data from 2020 to 2024 showed a steady rise in drug cases, with marijuana leading and methamphetamine use growing-from just 100 cases in 2020 to 366 in 2024.

Juvenile involvement peaked in 2022 with 40 cases, reflecting a growing trend of younger users and dealers entering the drug ecosystem, he said.

Operation Sasamaki nets major seizures

He added that since the launch of Operation Sasamaki in March 2025, police had seized close to five tonnes of marijuana along with quantities of methamphetamine.

The majority of cases were linked to unlawful possession, Commissioner Tudravu confirmed.

Despite limited resources, the Commissioner said the Fiji Police Force remains committed-but the challenge is too large to be fought by law enforcement alone.

He ended his address by reminding attendees that defeating Fiji's drug problem is not just about arrests and seizures-but also about shared responsibility and community- led change.

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