The Fiji Police Force is expressing serious concerns regarding the rise of methamphetamine production in residential areas. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations (ACP) Livai Driu has urged the community to help identify places where these drugs are being produced.
According to ACP Driu, reports have surfaced indicating that individuals are increasingly manufacturing methamphetamine at home. He emphasized the dangers of this practice, as many are not trained and are combining hazardous chemicals that pose risks to public health.
As the police intensify their efforts against illegal drugs, ACP Driu indicated that addressing this home production issue is critical to tackling the broader problem of drug-related crimes.
Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free Fiji, claimed that local meth production has been present since 2019. She stated that research at that time revealed disturbing trends in coastal communities, including anecdotal evidence from the Fiji Fire Authority and the police. “Individuals have been making these substances in their homes,” she noted.
Additionally, Volatabu highlighted that instructional videos on platforms like YouTube have simplified the meth-making process. This has led to severe accidents, including cases of individuals sustaining third-degree burns. She mentioned that the necessary materials for production are easily obtained from hardware stores or supermarkets.
The police are calling on the public for assistance in locating these meth producers. ACP Driu also reported ongoing operations targeting marijuana cultivation in remote islands. While no methamphetamine has been detected in these areas, there has been a notable presence of cannabis.
Operations are being conducted across all five divisions, including maritime islands in addition to the main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In these remote locations, police conduct outreach and awareness campaigns while maintaining a presence in areas like Moala and Vanuabalavu in Lau.
On the mainland, police have registered a 37 percent increase in drug raids compared to the same period last year. ACP Driu reassured the public that the situation is manageable, with significant information flow leading to successful arrests and raids. He indicated that the number of drug-related activities is expected to decline as the cost of methamphetamine rises.