Police have arrested a man believed to be one of the key players in the country’s drug trade.
In a statement, Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime (ACP) Mesake Waqa confirmed the man was arrested by the Fiji Police Force’s Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) with officers in the Western Division.
He said the team was gathering intelligence and information into the 29-year-old suspect’s involvement in the distribution of drugs. Following this, a joint raid was conducted at a home in Lautoka, which resulted in the seizure of white crystals, white powder, and dried green leaves, which were all confirmed to be methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana respectively.
He said smoking apparatuses, a digital weighing machine, a packing machine, and local and foreign currencies believed to be proceeds of crime were also seized from the home.
In addition to the 29-year-old, two other men and a woman, 20, were arrested.
He said during the execution of the search warrant, the suspect allegedly released his dog and tried to flee the scene.
However, Mr Waqa said the man was pursued and arrested by officers.
Meanwhile, three men and two women were arrested following a raid in Namaqumaqua, Serua.
Mr Waqa said a mixture of white liquid and white substances, confirmed as methamphetamine, were seized during the raid.
SOCU is the Fiji Police’s Narcotics Bureau, which changed its name after the Counter Narcotics Bureau was formed.
“The renaming of the unit also reflects the FPF’s comprehensive approach to tackling the illicit drug trade and associated serious organised crime such as money laundering, human trafficking and arms smuggling to name a few,” Mr Waqa said.
Mr Waqa said the Fiji Police Force was committed to seeing key players in the distribution of illicit drugs brought to justice.
He urged patience, as such efforts took time and needed an evidence-based approach to ensure a successful prosecution.
