Five high school students were among 163 individuals charged with drug-related offenses last month. Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew announced a 42 percent rise in drug-related crimes, with a total of 188 cases reported in July, compared to 132 during the same month last year.
According to Chew, out of the 188 cases, 181 involved illegal possession of controlled substances, while seven cases pertained to the illegal cultivation of drugs. Specifically, there were 46 cases linked to methamphetamine, one for cocaine, and the remaining 141 connected to marijuana.
Lautoka experienced a notable jump in drug cases, increasing from four incidents in 2023 to 32 in 2024. Among the unlawful possession cases, 18 involved methamphetamine, with the other 14 associated with marijuana.