The Fiji Police Force is conducting an investigation into certain pharmacies suspected of illegally selling or distributing syringes.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, Livai Driu, stated that this inquiry follows significant drug busts related to methamphetamine. He noted that many individuals apprehended during these operations were found with needles, raising questions about how and where they obtained them.
Driu assured that the police are actively pursuing the matter, focusing on specific pharmacies primarily in the Central and Southern Division. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the fact that most suspects acquire syringes from intermediaries, complicating the efforts to trace the supply back to the original source.
The Assistant Commissioner highlighted a worrying trend over the past seven months, with a 37 percent increase in arrests for possession of methamphetamine. He emphasized the need for pharmacies to uphold integrity in their practices, stressing that needles must be prescribed by doctors before they can be issued.
Driu also encouraged members of the community to report any suspicious activities to the police.