The Fiji Police Force has reported that 135 individuals, including three students, have been charged with drug-related offences, with some facing multiple charges. Acting Commissioner of Police Sakeo Raikaci revealed that last month, authorities recorded 143 drug cases, an increase compared to the same period last year.
Raikaci noted that 138 cases pertained to unlawful possession of illicit drugs, while five involved unlawful cultivation. Among these, 26 cases were linked to methamphetamine, five involved both marijuana and methamphetamine, and the remaining 112 were associated with marijuana.
Additionally, the overall crime rate increased by eight percent in August 2024, with serious crimes rising by 11 percent. The most prevalent crimes reported were theft, with 411 cases, followed by assault causing actual bodily harm at 291 cases, and both burglary and aggravated burglary at 189 cases.
While theft saw a decrease compared to August 2023, it contributed significantly to the overall rise in crime. Assault cases rose from 250 in August 2023 to 291 this year, of which 86 were domestic-related. Burglary incidents also increased from 164 in August 2023 to 189 this year, occurring in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.
Raikaci highlighted that robbery and aggravated robbery statistics indicated that “grab and runs” are the most common methods, with mobile phones, handbags, wallets, and cash being the primary targets.
In response to rising theft and burglary rates, particularly with the festive season approaching, the police have intensified efforts to target alleged receivers of stolen property. The Acting Commissioner stated that their operations would adapt to counter these crimes, which typically see a surge during this time.