The Fiji Police Force has conducted multiple farm raids across Lau, Savusavu, and Ovalau, resulting in the seizure of plants thought to be marijuana within the last 24 hours.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, Livai Driu, stated that these operations align with an ongoing initiative to disrupt the illicit drug supply chain by targeting cultivators and distributors.
In Vanuabalavu, Lau, authorities discovered a farm containing plants believed to be marijuana during a raid in Mavana. On Ovalau, police seized over 300 plants identified as marijuana and also found groceries suspected to be stolen from a school canteen. A man has been taken into custody in connection with this find.
In the northern region, Driu noted that a raid near Lea village, carried out by the Serious and Organised Crime and Intelligence units along with local officers from Savusavu, resulted in the seizure of more than 600 marijuana plants, along with dried branches and seedlings. A 20-year-old farmer was arrested during this operation.
Meanwhile, in the Southern Division, a raid by the Serious Organised Crime Unit and a task force in Tacirua led to the discovery of dried branches and small plastic bags containing dried leaves thought to be marijuana. A 43-year-old man was also apprehended in this operation.
All substances that were seized have been sent for analysis.