Cocaine discovery terrifies Mau villagers

Fear has gripped residents of Mau Village in Namosi after police confirmed the discovery of another parcel containing cocaine, raising fresh concerns about illicit drugs washing ashore in Fiji.

Police said the parcel was separate from the 76 parcels recovered during an earlier drug investigation.

The latest package was discovered on June 30 after villagers found a plastic bag containing a white substance.

Villager Epeli Sevula said the discovery had left many people worried about the safety of their community.

"People are frightened because this is something we have never experienced before. We are concerned about our children and what Mr Sevula said.

Mr Sevula said villagers acted responsibly by reporting the suspicious package instead of opening or handling it.

"We did the right thing by informing the police straight away. We don't want drugs in our village and we hope people around the country will do the same if they come across anything suspicious."

Police have urged members of the public not to touch or open any suspicious packages found along Fiji's coastlines, waterways or in villages, but to report them immediately to the nearest police station.

Investigations into the latest cocaine discovery are continuing.