Nakasi steps up war on drugs, says Tudravu

Drug-related crimes continue to be a major concern for the Fiji Police Force, says Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu.

The opening of the new Nakasi Police Station today marks a significant step forward in strengthening intelligence gathering, enforcement operations, and community-based policing.

In an interview, Mr Tudravu noted that Nakasi was once classified as a “red zone” due to high crime rates. However, consistent community collaboration and targeted policing efforts have led to substantial improvements.

“There’s been a lot of progress in the area,” Commissioner Tudravu said. 

“We’ve managed to move Nakasi from red, now shifting towards green. I want to thank the Nakasi community for their support, but we know there’s still room to improve in our service delivery, our response times, and how we handle reports and complaints". 

Drug-related offences remain a persistent challenge for law enforcement across Fiji, with methamphetamine and marijuana trafficking contributing to spikes in theft, domestic violence, and other social issues.

The new police station will serve as both an operational base and a deterrent, enhancing coordination between divisions, enabling quicker response times, and improving surveillance and intelligence capabilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad, who officially opened the facility, stressed that addressing the drug crisis requires a national response that goes beyond policing.

“The drug problem is tearing at the fabric of our families and destroying the potential of our youth,” Mr Prasad said.

“It demands a whole-of-nation approach, families, schools, faith groups, and communities must work alongside law enforcement.”

He added that government reforms, including the establishment of the Ministry of Policing and the Narcotics Bureau, along with deeper partnerships with Australia and New Zealand, are helping to build a stronger, coordinated framework to disrupt transnational criminal networks.

Feedback: rariq.turner@fijisun.com.fj