The Fiji Police Force has expressed alarm over the rise of methamphetamine production in residential areas. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, has urged the community to help pinpoint locations where such drugs are being made.
“Our personnel have informed us that individuals are starting to produce methamphetamine at home,” said ACP Driu. “This poses substantial danger, as many of these individuals lack expertise, leading to the mixing of hazardous chemicals that could harm the public who consume these products.”
ACP Driu emphasized that tackling this issue is essential as part of the broader fight against illicit drugs.
In related claims, Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free Fiji, noted that local meth production has reportedly been occurring since 2019. “During our research in 2019, while engaging with coastal communities, the Fiji Fire Authority, and the Fiji Police Force, we encountered stories indicating the production activity in various communities and squatter settlements,” Ms. Volatabu explained.
She highlighted the availability of instructional videos on platforms like YouTube that demonstrate the meth-making process. “We’ve seen individuals suffer severe burns from meth production efforts. Today, the materials required for this process can be easily found in stores,” she added.
The police have called on the public to assist in identifying meth producers. ACP Driu mentioned that drug raids and operations in remote islands have uncovered an increase in marijuana cultivation. “We have not discovered any white substances in these remote islands, but we have found green drugs,” he said.
Drug operations are ongoing across all five divisions, targeting areas beyond Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, including maritime islands. “In our operations in these regions, we ensure we conduct awareness programs and campaigns, with police officers stationed in Moala and Vanuabalavu, Lau,” he noted.
On the mainland, police observed a 37 percent rise in drug raids compared to the same timeframe last year. “The situation isn’t spiraling out of control as we are receiving tips about the locations of the drugs. We are making significant arrests and conducting raids. The numbers may decline soon due to the rising costs of these white substances,” ACP Driu stated.