Drug dealers warned as Police raids intensify

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe has warned drug dealers to think twice, saying Police will be “very aggressive” in their operations and will not spare anyone caught breaking the law.

“We will take those who are committing those illicit acts to task. And we won’t spare anybody,” Mr Vusonilawe told the Fiji Sun.

“They have to think twice because we will be very aggressive in our operations,” he said.

His warning follows intensified joint operations between the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) targeting the illicit drug trade across the country.

Police raids intensified across the Suva–Nausori corridor over the weekend, with a convoy of police vehicles with lights and sirens spotted in Laqere and Nabua.

The Fiji Sun understands raids were also conducted in Nadonumai in Lami on Saturday night.

Earlier on Friday, Police with the K9 Unit raided Lagilagi Housing and Veiquwawa Settlement in Raiwaqa based on a tip-off, though officers came up empty-handed at both locations.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe.

However, drugs, suspects and cash were seized at the Carrier Stand in Suva.

The Fiji Police Force said operations are “multi-faceted”, covering community policing, house-to-house visits and joint taskforce operations.

Police are urging the public to report information through their hotline, 1681.

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka had earlier hinted at a possible national state of emergency as authorities escalate efforts to tackle Fiji’s worsening drug problem.