Drone Surveillance Foils Marijuana Farmers’ Efforts

Drug cultivators have adopted new ways of moving marijuana plants from one location to another and concealing them from Police.

During their operations last week, Police Special Drug Operations team from Suva found potted marijuana plants hidden in five farms in Kadavu.

Chief of Operations ACP Abdul Khan said a team was deployed to search the farm after drone surveillance images picked up irregularities with the farm.

He said apart from the pot plants found, Police noticed in another farm what looked like recently uprooted root crops.

However, after removing dead grass and branches from mounds they found marijuana plants hidden underneath.

ACP Khan said Police would remain in Kadavu for as long as it is required.

“We are not going to give up easily on Kadavu and we will commit to doing the best we can to reduce the cultivation of illicit drugs,” ACP Khan said.

“At the same time our operations are focused on other elements of the illegal drug trade which includes the buyers and also elements of proceeds of crime.”

A total of 6700 marijuana plants were uprooted from five farms.

Two raids at Nacomoto Village saw the seizure of more than 1000 plants, more than 5000 plants were uprooted from two raids in Lavidi Hills, Nakasaleka Village and close to 200 marijuana plants were found at Togoni Settlement in Naceva.

The owners of the five farms are yet to be identified.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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