The dramatic midnight drug interception at Tavua last week left one suspect hospitalised after he allegedly tried to flee from police.
As details emerge about one of Fiji’s largest suspected cocaine seizures, The Fiji Times sources said a local man arrested during the Vatia drug raid was admitted to hospital with injuries sustained during his arrest.
The iTaukei man, believed to be in his 20s, reportedly attempted to escape after police intercepted a vehicle carrying suspected drugs from the Vatia wharf.
Sources said the roadside interception took place around midnight last Thursday. Police had initially attempted to stop a red single-cab Toyota Hilux, but when it failed to slow down officers blocked the vehicle and brought it to a halt.
The iTaukei passenger allegedly fled on foot, leading to a struggle on the roadside before he was subdued and arrested. The driver, an Indo-Fijian man in his 30s, was also arrested after allegedly resisting police. The vehicle was later seen parked at the Ba Police Station.
A search of the Hilux at the scene reportedly uncovered up to 10 sacks in the back tray containing substances believed to be illicit drugs.
Further investigations led police to the Vatia wharf, where sources said officers discovered a speedboat carrying four foreign nationals and close to 100 sacks of suspected drugs. The occupants were all holders of Ecuadorian passports. One of the foreign nationals is believed to be in his 30s, two others are in their 40s and one is in his 50s.
The Fiji Times sent questions to police seeking confirmation on the hospitalisation of a suspect, whether testing had been completed on the seized substances and the total tonnage of the alleged drugs.
“The outcome of the investigation will be released once it has been completed,” police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said in response.
