In a new twist to the recent spate of illicit drugs discovered in outer islands, the Police Force has revealed that some equipment have also been found.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho has confirmed investigation is underway to determine these apparatus.
Qiliho says to date, more than a hundred brown packages with the same label showing a buffalo containing cocaine have been washed ashore in various outer lying islands in Taveuni, Yasawa and the most in the Lau Group.
" We’ve been working with Fiji Navy and we have been able to pick up a few equipment that we think the drugs were stored in before it drifted to the islands that we’re picking it up from. We have those equipment. It’s part of an ongoing investigation/ we’re working with our Australian counterparts in identifying this. We’ve done a few searches and it will be premature for me to be making comments on these equipment as investigations are still ongoing.”
Qiliho says so far no one has been charged and they’re concerned with the number of similar packages that could be floating in outer islands including those that are uninhabited.
“That’s very worrying for us because it extends the search area to a bigger area that’s why we’re working with the Australian authorities and the Fiji navy in identifying tight patterns and all that so we can zero in on areas that we need to target.”
Ministry of Defense Director Timoci Natuva says it’s important that Fijians with information regarding such matters report it to police.
“We need all the people of Fiji to come up with information because without information we can’t do much from the islands if there are some yachts coming in without being cleared they have to come to us.”
As of August 30th, ten more similar packages were discovered and Police have confirmed they’re currently conducting tests on similar packages discovered in Yasawa earlier this week.
The public are requested to call on the toll free number 3318 529 if they have any information or may have made similar discoveries of cocaine or know if anyone is selling the illicit substances.
