War on drugs: Police raids intensify

Police conducted raids across two Raiwaqa settlements yesterday morning as part of its intensified operations to tackle Fiji’s growing drug crisis.

Officers with the K9 unit swept through Lagilagi Housing along Lagilagi Street and Veiquwawa Settlement at Jittu Estate, Suva, cordoning off a lane along Grantham Road as the operation unfolded, causing traffic delays for motorists and a frenzy of public interest.

Acting Assistant Commissioner for Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe said the Raiwaqa raids were based on a tip-off ,but officers were unsuccessful.

However, officers were able to seize drugs at the Carrier Stand in Suva.

Mr Vusonilawe confirmed green drugs were seized, adding: “We do not know whether they seized some white.

“The suspects are now at Totogo Police Station, including drugs and even the money,” he said.

At Lagilagi, a resident who did not wish to be named said officers had focused on a house behind a blue home and that knives were involved. Other residents said they had seen police but were not sure about what had happened.

At Jittu Estate, near Rups Big Bear, residents said they were unaware of what had happened but kept pointing to a nearby garage.

Minister for Police Ioane Naivalurua declined to elaborate on the operations, deferring to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s earlier comments on the drug situation.

“Our focus is about improving the operations on the ground,” Mr Naivalurua said.

“We’ve intensified the operations.”

The Prime Minister had earlier hinted at a possible national state of emergency amid escalated joint operations between the military and police to tackle Fiji’s worsening drug problem.

Meanwhile, Mr Vusoniwale has issued a stern warning to members of the public who plan to engage in criminal activities.

“We have intensified our joint operations and we will be present on our streets.”