When police cordoned off a vacant house at Voivoi, Legalega, in Nadi early on Sunday morning, residents thought a body had been found in the vicinity.
Little did they know that one of the country’s biggest drug bust was underway in the settlement where more than three tonnes of methamphetamine stored in more than 700 medium-sized containers were seized from a corrugated-iron home right in the middle of the neighbourhood.
Retired schoolteacher Abhiram said the discovery came as a shock and many residents have been left terrified by the ‘unusual’ find.
“This is a peaceful, crime-free neighbourhood, nothing of this sort happens here,” the concerned community elder shared.
“Imagine waking up to the scene of about eight to 10 vehicles loading containers and a bicycle and we all saw this right in front of us.
“It was around 5.30am to 7.30am when police officers were doing the carting and people in this neighbourhood are still shocked because it is rare, very rare for such a thing to happen here.”
The home where the drugs were confiscated from is located about 200 metres from Voivoi Community Kindergarten and residents said that it had been vacant for about five years.
Outside the property and just in front of the house sits a 20-feet container.
There are two homes right beside the scene of the crime.
Mr Abhiram said the fact that serious crimes happened right outside their doorstep was worrying.
According to police, the drugs were stored in 797 medium size containers and wrapped in brown tapes.
