Five high school students were among 163 individuals charged with drug-related offenses last month. Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew announced the July crime statistics, revealing a 42 percent increase in drug-related crimes, with a total of 188 cases reported, up from 132 during the same period last year.
Out of the 188 cases, 181 were for the unlawful possession of illegal drugs, while seven involved the unlawful cultivation of such substances. Specifically, there were 46 cases related to methamphetamine, one case involving cocaine, and 141 cases associated with marijuana.
Lautoka saw a notable rise in drug cases, escalating from four in 2023 to 32 in 2024. Among unlawful possession cases, 18 were for methamphetamine and 14 for marijuana.