Suspicious vehicles selling drugs spark call for Police Post in Natewa

Villagers in Natewa, Cakaudrove, are calling for the establishment of a community police post after reports of suspicious vehicles moving in and out of the area to sell drugs.

Turaga ni Vunivalu Natewa, Ifereimi Buaserau, made the request during the commissioning of the village’s borehole project last Thursday, officiated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

He said a police presence in Natewa would also serve other nearby villages along Natewa Bay, which currently have no permanent law enforcement monitoring criminal activity.

Natewa has an active population of about 240 residents.

He said the move would help reduce the risk of drug peddlers operating in the area.

“The fight against drugs is now a national crisis, and we are facing it as well, with peddlers trying to penetrate the fabric of our society,” he said.

Mr Buaserau acknowledged that Natewa was not free from drugs.

“Some people are users of marijuana along Natewa Bay, but methamphetamine importers are the worst influencers,” he said.

Turaga ni Vunivalu Natewa Ifereimi Buaserau, at Natewa Village in Cakaudrove.

Photo: Sampras Anand

He claimed vehicles belonging to outsiders had been seen entering and leaving the village at night to sell drugs.

“This is a major issue because it leads to conflicts that can turn deadly, where lives are lost because of drug addiction".

He said village elders were working to ensure households stayed away from buying and selling drugs, with priority given to family and community wellbeing.

A police presence would help monitor and identify suspicious vehicles in the Natewa area through spot checks and arrests, he suggested.

“Without legal presence, there is no fear among these drug dealers to continue,” he said.

Prime Minister Rabuka said the requests raised by villagers would be considered by the relevant authorities.

Mr Buaserau also supported the introduction of corporal punishment for drug importers, saying they were responsible for destroying the lives of users.

He said stricter measures were needed to send a strong warning that the drug trade would not be tolerated in Fijian society.

Mr Buaserau did not specify what form of corporal punishment he was proposing, but said it should permanently stop the trade.