The Fiji Police Force has reported that 135 individuals, including three students, have been charged with drug-related offenses, with some facing multiple charges. Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci noted that law enforcement recorded 143 drug cases last month, an increase compared to the same period last year.
According to ACP Raikaci, 138 of the cases involved illegal possession of illicit drugs, while five pertained to the unlawful cultivation of such drugs. The breakdown of cases shows 26 involved methamphetamine, five cases were linked to both marijuana and methamphetamine, and 112 were related solely to marijuana.
The overall crime rate for August 2024 has risen by eight percent compared to the previous year, with serious crimes seeing an increase of 11 percent. The most common offences recorded last month included 411 thefts, 291 cases of assault causing actual bodily harm, and 189 incidents of burglary and aggravated burglary.
While theft saw a decline in August 2024 compared to the same month last year, it remained a major factor in the overall crime increase. Assault cases rose from 250 in August 2023 to 291 this year, with 86 of those being domestic-related. Burglary incidents also increased from 164 cases last year to 189 this year, occurring in urban, peri-urban, and rural regions.
ACP Raikaci remarked that statistics show robbery and aggravated robbery incidents primarily involve grab-and-run tactics, targeting mobile phones, handbags, wallets, and cash. Last month, police made coordinated efforts to target alleged receivers of stolen property to address the root causes of theft and burglaries.
The Acting Commissioner mentioned that police operations are already focused on the upcoming festive season, and strategies will be adjusted to counteract theft and burglary cases, which typically rise during this period.