No link yet between officer’s death and drugs, says Police Commissioner

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says investigations so far have not established any connection between the death of Constable Peniasi Racagi and drugs, despite speculation circulating online.

“Number one, the investigation so far has not indicated any relationship between the death and drugs. We are keeping an open mind on that.”

He was responding to questions about whether the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) should be brought in to assist with drug operations if such a link was established.

On the possible involvement of the RFMF, Commissioner Tudravu said Police remained the lead agency in criminal investigations.

“Number two, the involvement of RFMF. We are the frontline law enforcement agency. We conduct investigations and we are mandated by law to do that.

“Our relationship and our working together with RFMF is already an ongoing exercise that we have undertaken. And I will discuss with the commander on the joint operations that we are doing so far and in future.”

Questions were also raised about whether officers had received threats in the area, particularly related to drug operations.

“We have conducted, I can confirm that we have conducted raids up in Delainavesi. There were three homes that were raided for drugs. We did not receive any formal complaints against our police officers at Lami in regards to that.

“And I can confirm that the late Peniasi was also involved in the raid. But there was nothing, a correlation in regards to the death and what happened in Delainavesi.”

When asked what support would be available if investigations later revealed that threats had been made against officers involved in such raids, Commissioner Tudravu said the matter would be handled through proper investigative channels.

“We have our investigation that will be carried out in regards to that.

“We'll come to that. We have a technical unit that is available for us. It's a police mobile force.

“So at this point in time, our frontline operations are dealing with the issue.”