Chief Operations Officer Assistant Commissioner of Police Maretino Qiolevu

A team of police officers has been deployed to arrest two men who allegedly attacked on-duty officers during a drug operation.

The drug operation took place in the Western Division yesterday afternoon.

Chief Operations Officer ACP Maretino Qiolevu says a joint operation including officers from Namaka, Nadi, and the Border Police were following information received of drugs being transported from the Wailoaloa Beach.

ACP Qiolevu says upon arriving at the scene, two officers approached a taxi that was parked at the site which was alleged to have been transporting the suspects who were trading the illicit drugs.

Two men allegedly jumped out of the vehicle holding two large parcels and boarded a fiberglass boat which was moored nearby.

ACP Qiolevu says the two officers pursued the suspects by wading through waist-deep water. However, while doing so, one of the suspects allegedly threw a wooden oar which struck the first officer.

The second suspect allegedly reversed the boat intentionally towards the other officer’s direction causing him to dive for cover.

The two suspects fled the scene, however, the driver of the taxi was arrested and is currently being questioned.

ACP Qiolevu says the attack on the police officers will not be taken lightly.