A total of 53 bars of cocaine have been found within our border as of this morning.

This was revealed by Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho while opening the Fiji Narcotics committee workshop in Suva today.

He adds 51 bars have been tested and confirmed to be cocaine, while the latest find in Savusavu and on an island in the Lau group are yet to be tested.

Brig. Gen Qiliho says the recent finds are being transported to Suva by the Fiji Navy for analysis.

“I can also confirm that the 51 bars have an estimated street value of $43 million and that similar findings were made in Tonga where 58 bars in total were found on two of their islands, and have been confirmed to be the same quality of cocaine found here in Fiji.”

He says the close proximity of the Tongan group of islands to Fiji is a major concern however, any drug discovery in the Pacific is equally concerning.

The Police Commissioner also revealed that more than 10kg of methamphetamine was seized in Fiji from January to June.

“The seizures may seem small compared to the seizures of cocaine and marijuana, but it however does not give it less prominence, because the statistics speak for themselves as there have been numerous seizures, which equates to more people that are indulging in this illicit activity.”

Brig. Gen Qiliho says with the assistance of the Fiji Navy, a team of ten officers are currently in the Lau group of islands conducting investigation following the discoveries made there.