The Fiji Police Force has reported conducting farm raids in Lau, Savusavu, and Ovalau over the past 24 hours, resulting in the seizure of plants suspected to be marijuana.
Assistant Commissioner of Police – Operations, Livai Driu, stated that these raids align with their strategy to disrupt the supply chain by targeting cultivators and distributors of illegal drugs. In Mavana, Vanuabalavu, Lau, a farm was discovered with plants believed to be marijuana.
On Ovalau, officers confiscated over 300 suspected marijuana plants and also recovered groceries thought to be stolen from a school canteen. A man has been taken into police custody in connection with this find.
In the North, on a raid near Lea village, ACP Driu mentioned that the Serious and Organised Crime and Intelligence units along with Savusavu officers seized more than 600 plants, dried branches, and seedlings believed to be marijuana. A 20-year-old farmer was arrested during this operation.
Additionally, in the Southern Division, a raid by the Serious Organised Crime Unit in Tacirua led to the confiscation of dried branches and small plastic bags containing dried leaves suspected to be marijuana. A 43-year-old man was also taken into custody following this raid.
All confiscated items have been forwarded for analysis.