The Fiji Police Force has expressed alarm over the rising trend of methamphetamine production in residential areas. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, has urged the community to assist in identifying locations where these drugs are being manufactured.
“Reports from our personnel indicate that individuals are now beginning to create their own methamphetamine at home,” ACP Driu stated during a recent announcement.
He highlighted the dangers of this practice, noting that many of these individuals lack the necessary expertise and are mixing hazardous chemicals that pose a risk to the public. ACP Driu emphasized that addressing this issue is crucial in the ongoing battle against illegal substances.
In related claims, Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free Fiji, stated that local meth production had been occurring since 2019. “During our research in 2019, we uncovered stories from coastal communities, the Fiji Fire Authority, and the Police about the troubling activities within these communities and squatter settlements,” Ms. Volatabu revealed.
She further noted that instructions for making methamphetamine are readily accessible online, and incidents of people suffering severe injuries, like third-degree burns, have been documented. “The materials required for producing these substances can now be easily found in stores, including hardware shops and supermarkets,” Ms. Volatabu added.
The police are encouraging the public to support their efforts in locating these illicit producers. ACP Driu mentioned that drug raids in remote islands have revealed an uptick in marijuana cultivation. “While we have not discovered any white substances in the outer islands, we have indeed encountered green drugs,” he mentioned.
He clarified that the drug operations are not confined to Viti Levu and Vanua Levu but extend to maritime islands as well. “When conducting these operations, we ensure that awareness programs and campaigns are implemented in these regions, with police officers stationed on Moala and Vanuabalavu in Lau.”
On the mainland, police have observed a 37 percent increase in drug raids compared to the previous year. “The situation is manageable as we are receiving valuable information on drug locations, leading to significant arrests and raids. The number of incidents is expected to decrease soon due to the rising costs of these substances,” ACP Driu stated.