Police Recorded 94% Increase in Illicit Drugs Cases

The Fiji Police Force has recorded a significant 94 per cent increase in illicit drugs cases in January 2024 compared to 87 per cent for the same period last year.

This is from the 169 illicit drugs cases recorded last month alone.

Of the 169 cases, 153 pertained to the unlawful possession of illicit drugs, 15 cases related to the unlawful cultivation and one case of unlawful importation of drugs.

Forty cases were associated with methamphetamine while the remaining 129 cases were linked to the unlawful possession or cultivation of marijuana.

Drugs found in large containers. Photo: Mereleki Nai

OTHER CRIMES 

Police recorded a 10 per cent increase in the overall crime rate recorded for January.

However, the force recorded that crimes against women recorded a 31 per cent increase with 252 cases received in January 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Of the 252 crime cases, a significant 17 per cent were committed in the domestic setting, primarily by spouses or partners, and women between the ages of 18-38 represent the largest proportions of victims.

“It is also worrying to note that assault causing actual bodily harm cases involving women increased from 139 cases recorded for the month of January 2023 to 167 cases for the same period this year, and rape cases rose from 14 to 35 cases, with some reports recording multiple counts,” A/CP Chew said.

He said the increase was alarming and again called on community and religious leaders to help police curb all forms of violence against women.

He adds most cases were occurring within domestic settings, police need as much help as possible to address violence against women and protect victims from the devastating consequences of these crimes.

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