The Fiji Police Force has reported that 135 individuals, including three students, have been charged with drug-related offenses, with many facing multiple charges. Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci announced that 143 drug cases were logged last month, marking an increase compared to the same period last year.
Raikaci detailed that 138 of the cases involved unlawful possession of illicit drugs, while five pertained to the unlawful cultivation of such substances. The report indicated that there were 26 cases involving methamphetamine, five cases linking both marijuana and methamphetamine, with the majority, 112 cases, associated solely with marijuana.
The Acting Commissioner highlighted that the overall crime rate in August 2024 saw an increase of eight percent, with serious crimes rising by 11 percent. The most common offenses reported for the month included theft (411 cases), assault causing actual bodily harm (291 cases), burglary, and aggravated burglary (189 cases).
While theft saw a decrease compared to August of the previous year, it remained the primary factor contributing to the rise in overall crime. Raikaci noted that assault incidents increased from 250 in August 2023 to 291 this year, with 86 of those being domestic-related. Burglary incidents rose from 164 last year to 189 in the same month this year, affecting urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
Additionally, statistics regarding robbery and aggravated robbery indicated that “grab and run” incidents were prevalent, particularly targeting mobile phones, handbags, wallets, and cash. Last month, the police implemented focused efforts to tackle those implicated in the handling of stolen property, aiming to address the underlying causes of theft and burglaries.
Raikaci confirmed that the police operations are preparing for the upcoming festive season, aligning strategies to combat theft and burglary, as these offenses typically surge during this period.