Police are urging the public to call their toll free number 3318529 if they see any suspicious brown packages floating at sea or washed ashore.

Acting Police Commissioner, Itendra Nair says people should refrain from opening these packages as it may contain cocaine in its pure form that can be extremely harmful to one’s health.

Nair says the discovery of nine parcels containing white substances believed to be cocaine indicates there is a possibility of more being washed ashore.

He says they can confirm that packaging of the three discoveries made to date are similar to the two findings made in Tonga last month.

Following tests of the cocaine found in Tonga and the earlier discovery in the Lau group it can be confirmed they are similar which was in its pure state and in the same packaging.

Nair says while they are waiting for the analysis to be conducted on the recent finds from Taveuni and in the Lau Group they are working closely with the Fiji Navy and relevant stakeholders both locally and internationally.

He says it is highly likely that the drugs were being transited through the Pacific and not intended for Tonga and Fiji.

Nair says the team of officers from the Organized Crime Unit are continuing with their work in the Lau group while the Divisional Crime Officer North is heading the investigation in Taveuni.

Police also commended the communities who have come forward with information regarding the discoveries.