The ongoing battle against drug trafficking is significantly straining the Fiji Police Force’s Forensic Chemistry Unit (FCU) laboratory. With nearly 3,000 drug cases entering the unit, there is a critical shortage of personnel available for testing and analysis. Miliana Werebauinona, the principal scientific officer of the unit and Fiji’s first certified drug analyst, expressed these concerns during a presentation at the 2024 Annual Conference of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Currently, the laboratory relies on only nine certified scientific drug analysts to process the increasing volume of cases. Last year, the unit managed to analyze 2,666 drug cases, and as of now, they have already received approximately 2,399 cases, with the number expected to grow by year-end.
Ms. Werebauinona pointed out the need for additional manpower and technical resources to handle the escalating demands. She acknowledged the government’s support in enhancing laboratory equipment, which has improved capabilities, yet emphasized the need for further development as crime trends evolve.
One of the significant challenges the unit faces is meeting court attendance requirements for presenting drug reports, which often requires all analysts to be in various locations simultaneously. This situation hampers daily operations and approval processes, as they have to navigate bureaucratic hurdles within the police structure.
To alleviate pressure, Ms. Werebauinona suggested that ideally, there should be at least three drug analysts per division and additional laboratories established to broaden the services available across Fiji. Presently, the unit has analysts stationed in Labasa and Lautoka to cater to the Northern and Western Divisions, respectively. Additionally, the unit extends its analysis services to neighboring Pacific Islands such as Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Nauru.
Despite the challenges, the Forensic Chemistry Unit remains dedicated to combating illicit drug activities efficiently. With continued support and possibly structural changes, the unit can strengthen its capabilities to address the growing drug-related issues in Fiji.
In summary, while the Fiji Police Force’s Forensic Chemistry Unit faces operational challenges due to rising drug cases, the commitment from the unit and potential support from the government presents a positive outlook for enhancing their response to drug crimes.
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