THE joint police and military task force set up to dismantle drug syndicates has officially begun operations in the Western Division, sending a strong warning to traffickers, drug lords and organised criminal groups.
During a joint meeting in Nadi, Fiji Police Force Pacific Commander Western Division Senior Superintendent of Police SSP Ioane Vaisewa met with RFMF Commander of the Joint Task Force Command (JTFC) Brigadier General Manoa Gadai for high level discussions on the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force operations in the region.
In opening the meeting, Brigadier General Gadai welcomed their police counterparts and reiterated their commitment to supporting the work of the Police and the Joint Counter Narcotics Task Force operations.
He highlighted the importance of collaboration and putting on a united front which was essential in confronting Fiji’s existential threat posed by the use and abuse of illicit drugs.
Meanwhile, SSP Vaisewa reiterated the Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu’s mission for the two organisations to work together toward a common goal of combatting illicit drugs and transnational criminal activities.
Recently, the Fiji Police confirmed operations in the west was part of the nationwide operations to dismantle drug networks in the country.
Sources have indicated that operational teams have identified nearly 100 persons of interest, with several hotspots in the Lautoka and Nadi under close surveillance.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe confirmed that the operation was focused on ‘disrupting criminal networks’ but declined to provide specific details.
He said intelligence gathering was being coordinated by the RFMF, supporting police-led targeted operations aimed at dismantling organised criminal activity.
“We cannot go into specifics, but we assure the public that concerted efforts are underway to dismantle these groupings,” ACP Vusonilawe said.
