The Fiji Police Force has reported that 135 individuals, including three students, have been charged with drug-related offenses, with some facing multiple charges. Acting Police Commissioner Sakeo Raikaci announced that police recorded 143 drug cases in the past month, an increase compared to the same period last year.
According to ACP Raikaci, 138 of the cases involved unlawful possession of illicit drugs, while five pertained to the unlawful cultivation of such substances. The breakdown of drug-related charges includes 26 cases related to methamphetamine, five cases involving both marijuana and methamphetamine, and 112 cases associated exclusively with marijuana.
Raikaci highlighted that the overall crime rate for August 2024 saw an increase of eight percent, with serious crime rising by 11 percent. The leading offenses reported last month included theft, with 411 cases, assault causing actual bodily harm at 291 cases, and burglary and aggravated burglary totaling 189 incidents.
While theft saw a decline in August 2024 compared to the previous year, it remained a significant contributor to the overall rise in crime rates. Assault cases rose from 250 in August 2023 to 291 this year, with 86 of these being domestic-related. Burglary cases also increased from 164 in August 2023 to 189 this year, occurring in urban, peri-urban, and rural settings.
The Acting Commissioner noted that robbery and aggravated robbery incidents often involved “grab and runs,” targeting mobile phones, handbags, wallets, and cash. Police efforts over the last month have been directed at alleged receivers of stolen property in an effort to tackle the root causes of theft and burglary.
Looking ahead, ACP Raikaci emphasized that police operations will be strategically focused on the upcoming festive season to counter the anticipated surge in theft and burglary incidents typically seen during this time.