Tide of Danger: Syringes Mysteriously Wash Ashore Vatuwaqa Beach
This masthead also raised concerns with the police about the careless act of police officers who attended the scene and collected the syringes. In the photos, officers were seen handling the syringes without using proper protective equipment.
Thursday 21 November 2024 | 10:01
A collection of syringes found along the shoreline at Rifle Range in Vatuwaqa, Suva. Inset: Officers collecting the syringes. Photos: Pita Simpson
Police are still trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the discovery of syringes that mysteriously washed ashore along Rifle Range in Vatuwaqa, Suva.
The syringes were still in their packages. Pita Simpson, a resident at the area called the police after his brother discovered the unused syringes on Tuesday.
Mr Simpson, a professional photographer, quickly grabbed his camera and headed to the location to document the discovery after his brother informed him about the washed-up syringes.
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“I was so concerned since we’re currently in a drug crisis, my brother just unintentionally told me about what he saw after walking our dogs,” he said.
“He just walked in and said Pita there’s a lot of syringes over there, I wondered where they might have come from.
“I asked him a few times again, and he told me to go see myself. My first instinct was to inform the relevant authorities and get my camera to document the scene,” Mr Simpson said.
Police
Police have yet to confirm if the syringes were for drug infusion.
Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci said the discovery was a concern. ACP Raikaci said police would try to establish where they were from.
“We have also taken on board the concerns raised about the offi-ers’ handling the syringes, and a reminder has been sent out to all five policing divisions of the need to observe safety protocols at all times,” he said.
“The Fiji Police Force has raised concerns about the availability and easy access of syringes over the counter and call on pharmaceutical companies to assist by closely monitoring the sale of syringes”.
This masthead also raised concerns with the police about the careless act of police officers who attended the scene and collected the syringes.
In the photos, officers were seen handling the syringes without using proper protective equipment.
ACP Raikaci reaffirmed; “Divisional Police Commanders have been reminded of this, so officers are reminded to adhere strictly to observed safety protocols.”
The discovery raised concerns, as the syringes are typically used for ‘Bluetooth’—a term often associated with drug use.
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