The Fiji Police Force has charged 135 individuals, including three students, with drug-related offenses, with several facing multiple charges. Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci reported that the police recorded 143 drug cases in the last month, an increase compared to the same period last year.
According to ACP Raikaci, 138 of the cases involved unlawful possession of illicit drugs, while five were related to the unlawful cultivation of drugs. The breakdown shows 26 cases involving methamphetamine, five cases that included both marijuana and methamphetamine, and 112 cases associated solely with marijuana.
Additionally, the overall crime rate for August 2024 saw an eight percent rise, with serious crimes increasing by 11 percent. The most prevalent offenses recorded during the month were theft (411 cases), assault causing actual bodily harm (291 cases), burglary, and aggravated burglary (189 cases).
Raikaci noted a decrease in theft cases compared to the previous year, though it remained a significant factor contributing to the rise in overall crime. Assault incidents increased from 250 in August 2023 to 291 this year, with 86 of these being domestic-related. Burglary cases also rose from 164 last year to 189 this year, occurring in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
The Acting Commissioner highlighted that robbery and aggravated robbery statistics indicated that grab-and-run tactics were prevalent, targeting items such as mobile phones, handbags, wallets, and cash. Last month, the police made efforts to target those allegedly receiving stolen property to address the root causes of theft and burglaries.
With the busy festive season approaching, ACP Raikaci stated that police operations will focus on aligning strategies and measures to combat theft and burglary, as these offenses tend to spike during this period.