The Fiji Police Force has expressed serious concerns regarding the production of methamphetamine in residential areas. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu has urged the community to assist in identifying locations where these drugs are being produced.
ACP Driu stated, “Our sources inform us that individuals have started manufacturing methamphetamine at home.” He highlighted the dangers associated with non-experts mixing potentially harmful chemicals, which poses risks to public health.
As the police intensify their efforts against illicit drugs, ACP Driu emphasized that addressing home-based meth manufacturing is critical to tackling the broader issue.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free Fiji, reported that meth production has been occurring locally since 2019. “During our research, particularly when engaging with coastal communities, the Fiji Fire Authority, and the police, we encountered numerous stories of such activities in squatter settlements,” Volatabu noted.
She shared that instructional videos on platforms like YouTube detail the meth production process, leading to dangerous incidents, including individuals being hospitalized due to severe burns. Volatabu pointed out that the materials required for meth production are now easily accessible, with ingredients available in local hardware stores and supermarkets.
The police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating these drug producers. ACP Driu mentioned ongoing drug raids and operations in remote islands, which have revealed an increase in marijuana cultivation. He confirmed that while no meth-related substances have been discovered in these areas, green drugs have been found.
He added that their drug operations span all five divisions, encompassing not only Viti Levu and Vanua Levu but also maritime islands. Awareness programs and campaigns accompany police operations in these regions, where officers are stationed at sites like Moala and Vanuabalavu in Lau.
On the mainland, ACP Driu reported a 37 percent increase in drug raids compared to the same period last year. He remarked, “It’s manageable because we are receiving credible information about drug locations. Our operations have led to significant arrests and raids, and the number of incidents may decline soon due to rising prices of these substances.”