Crime

Slight decrease in green yaqona theft recorded

February 7, 2019 10:05 am

The Fiji Police Force has recorded a slight decrease in the green yaqona theft in Taveuni.

The Fiji Police Force has recorded a slight decrease in the green yaqona theft in Taveuni.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says a task force was deployed to Taveuni in December following numerous complaints and reports of green yaqona stolen from farms.

Naisoro says they were able to arrest those stealing green yaqona and those that bought it.

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She says while Police closely monitors the sale of green yaqona, their focus is also on the receivers who are providing to the market.

The sale, supply and purchase of newly uprooted green yaqona plants was deemed illegal in 2017 following an increase in yaqona theft cases in Taveuni.

It was found that the increase in yaqona theft was linked to the sale of freshly uprooted green yaqona.

It was also difficult for police to investigate such cases as the plants are quickly disposed off.