Law enforcement officials have apprehended 76 individuals this week for drug-related crimes, with one suspect allegedly attempting to bribe the officers with cash during the arrest. The Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACPO) Livai Driu highlighted that the police have ramped up their efforts as the festive season approaches, leading to daily arrests for drug offenses.
Among those arrested, the oldest was a 64-year-old man taken into custody at Ba fish market with seven sachets of dried leaves suspected to be marijuana. Another 63-year-old carpenter was arrested at his home in Bua with five marijuana plants measuring between 70cm and 90cm. A 58-year-old man from Lautoka was caught carrying a shopping bag containing dried leaves presumed to be marijuana, along with over $3,000 believed to be from illegal activities.
Additional arrests included a 53-year-old farmer in Labasa with a sachet of dried leaves, a 52-year-old bowser attendant with multiple sachets, and a 51-year-old electrician arrested in Lautoka for possessing both dried leaves and a white substance suspected to be methamphetamine. The youngest offender was a 19-year-old farmer apprehended in Savusavu with five sachets of dried leaves.
Also notable is a 19-year-old female from Nadi, along with her 25-year-old friend, who were detained for not paying their taxi fare and subsequently found with a sachet of dried leaves. Furthermore, a 29-year-old man from Makoi was caught with two sachets of marijuana and attempted to bribe the arresting officer during his apprehension.
ACPO Driu explained that these arrests resulted from stop-and-search operations, roadblocks, and raids, often supported by the K-9 Unit and community awareness teams. He expressed gratitude for the collaboration from local chiefs and the Turaga ni Koro for their role in sharing information that has contributed to these arrests.
In summary, this week’s operations reflect a strong commitment from law enforcement to combat drug-related crime as the community prepares for the festivities, highlighting both proactive measures and community involvement in enhancing public safety. This collaborative effort is a promising sign of ongoing community engagement essential to tackling drug issues.
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