A Suva taxidriver used a government-issued COVID-19 curfew pass to transport alcohol and drugs that tested negative when sent for analysis after his arrest, the Fiji Police Force confirmed.
The driver was intercepted last Monday night and had a curfew pass to pick up staff members from a company classed as an essential business.
Alcohol and drugs were found in his car at a checkpoint. Police spokeswoman Savaira Gonedua confirmed the incident.
“The driver has been charged only for failure to comply with the orders,” she said. “The alleged drugs tested negative.”
Meanwhile, Fiji Taxi Association secretary Ashwin Lal urged taxidrivers to adhere to the curfew-related regulations in place.
“Please don’t carry out any illegal activities using the curfew pass,” he said.
The association also requested the general public to not entice taxidrivers to carry out illegal runs.
