The Fiji Police Force has expressed alarm over the growing trend of methamphetamine production occurring in residential areas. Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Livai Driu, has urged the community to assist in pinpointing where these drug manufacturing activities are taking place.
“Our personnel on the ground have reported that individuals are starting to produce methamphetamine in their own homes,” ACP Driu noted.
He warned that this practice poses significant dangers since many individuals lack expertise and may be combining hazardous chemicals that can harm unsuspecting members of the public consuming the drugs. Driu acknowledged that as law enforcement continues to combat illegal drugs, addressing this issue is essential.
In related developments, Kalesi Volatabu, founder of Drug Free Fiji, claimed that local meth production has been occurring since 2019. “In our research back in 2019, we uncovered troubling evidence while speaking with coastal communities, the Fiji Fire Authority, and the Fiji Police Force,” Ms. Volatabu stated. “Reports of meth production in households and squatter settlements were already surfacing back then.”
She added, “There are tutorial videos on platforms like YouTube that guide individuals on how to make meth step by step. We have seen cases of people arriving at hospitals with severe burns resulting from the manufacturing process. Presently, materials needed to create these substances are easily obtainable in shops, including hardware stores and supermarkets.”
The police are seeking public assistance to identify these local producers. ACP Driu also mentioned ongoing drug raids and operations on remote islands, where marijuana cultivation continues to rise. “We haven’t encountered any white substances on these islands, but we have discovered green drugs,” he affirmed.
He highlighted that drug operations are active across all five divisions, not limited to Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, but also encompassing maritime islands. “In our operations, we ensure that the same procedures are in place, and we conduct awareness programs and campaigns in these areas. Police officers are stationed in Moala and Vanuabalavu, Lau,” he added.
On the mainland, ACP Driu reported a 37 percent increase in drug raids compared to the previous year. “The situation is manageable since we are receiving valuable information regarding drug locations. We are making significant arrests and seizures. With the rising prices of these drugs, we expect the number of incidents to decline soon.”