Police have seized and destroyed more than 2,200 plants believed to be marijuana during separate anti-drug operations in Fiji’s Northern Division as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle illicit drug cultivation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe said officers from the Northern Division Operations team discovered and uprooted more than 2,000 suspected marijuana plants in the rugged Vatuyalewa mountain range.
In a separate operation, police also destroyed more than 200 green plants believed to be marijuana in the Nasea farming area in Tukavesi.
ACP Vusonilawe said those involved in cultivating marijuana had changed their methods in an attempt to avoid detection.
“The modus operandi of cultivators has changed, however, enhanced sharing of information and the use of drones has assisted with locating the farms in difficult terrains,” he said.
He said police remain committed to targeting the source of both marijuana and harder illicit drugs through sustained enforcement operations.
“Operations remain committed to getting to the source of both green and white drugs,” ACP Vusonilawe said.
He added that multiple arrests had been made over the past week across all five policing divisions for alleged unlawful possession of illicit drugs.
The operations have been supported by the Joint Task Force, which includes the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
Police are continuing to urge members of the public to support the fight against drugs by reporting suspicious activity.
Anyone with information relating to drug offences is encouraged to contact the Police Drug Tip-Off Line on 1681.
