Police have apprehended a man regarded as a significant figure in the national drug trade.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime (ACP) Mesake Waqa announced that the arrest was made by the Fiji Police Force’s Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in collaboration with officers from the Western Division.
ACP Waqa noted that the unit was gathering intelligence regarding the 29-year-old suspect’s role in drug distribution. This led to a coordinated raid at a residence in Lautoka, where authorities confiscated white crystals, white powder, and dried green leaves, all of which tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana respectively.
The operation also uncovered smoking paraphernalia, a digital scale, a packing machine, and both local and foreign currencies thought to be derived from criminal activity.
In addition to the primary suspect, two men and a 20-year-old woman were detained during the raid. Waqa reported that while officers executed the search warrant, the suspect reportedly unleashed his dog and attempted to escape. However, police officers successfully chased him down and made the arrest.
Furthermore, a separate operation in Namaqumaqua, Serua, led to the arrest of three men and two women. During this raid, a combination of a white liquid and white powders, confirmed as methamphetamine, was seized.
The SOCU, which serves as the Fiji Police’s Narcotics Bureau, underwent a name change following the establishment of the Counter Narcotics Bureau. Waqa explained that the rebranding reflects the Fiji Police Force’s comprehensive strategy to combat the illegal drug trade and related serious organized crimes including money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling.
He emphasized the Fiji Police Force’s dedication to bringing major drug distributors to justice and urged the public for patience, as such investigations require time and an evidence-based methodology to achieve successful prosecutions.