Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has addressed the issue of drug-related offenses within the Fijian police force, emphasizing that these incidents should not tarnish the reputation of the entire organization. He highlighted that over 5,000 dedicated officers are committed to serving their communities with integrity.
At the 27th Attorney-General’s Conference held in Nadi, Tudravu acknowledged the significant challenge of rebuilding public trust whenever a police officer is charged with a drug offense. He revealed that from 2020 to 2025, 47 officers had faced charges for drug-related crimes, assuring the public that the police force is taking action to remove individuals who violate the law.
During a panel discussion on the topic “The Role of Police in Drug Enforcement, Operational Realities and Institutional Integrity in Fiji and the Pacific,” Commissioner Tudravu shed light on Fiji’s drug landscape, which continues to be mainly influenced by marijuana. The police have recorded 8,076 cases of unlawful possession of marijuana from 2022 to October 2025, in contrast to 861 cases related to methamphetamine.
He noted that law enforcement efforts are targeted at both “white and green drugs,” but the significantly higher number of marijuana cases is a result of local cultivation practices. Additionally, Commissioner Tudravu called for national dialogue to explore the root causes of drug use and trafficking, recognizing that individuals are often driven to drugs for consumption or as a means of income. This, he stated, necessitates a collective societal response.
Reiterating the police’s commitment to law enforcement, he affirmed that as long as marijuana remains illegal, the police will continue to uphold the law and take action against offenders. This relentless pursuit of integrity within the police force signifies a hopeful step towards addressing the broader societal issues connected to drug use and enforcement in Fiji.
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