Approximately 1.1 ton of white substances in crystal and powder was seized in Maqalevu, Nadi on 20 January 2024 Photo: Fiji Police Force
Fiji police have confirmed that up to 12 people have been released in relation to the two drug busts in the Western Division last week, where the police seized more than four-and-a-half tonnes of methamphetamine.
The street value of the drugs are expected to be in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew told The Fiji Times are now working with their counterparts in Australia and New Zealand to determine the origin and destination of the drugs.
Police believe there is more drugs "still out there", the newspaper reported.
Assistant Police Commissioner Crime Mesake Waqa said they released those individuals who had been questioned and in were custody for 48 hours as per the law, but "they are still on our radar".
"We've interviewed 12 people, four have been released and eight are still being questioned. Both the busts in Legalega and Maqalevu are connected, and investigations are well underway to determine the mass drug discovery," he was quoted by The Fiji Times.
The police officer facing charges for misappropriation of drugs from the first raid in Legalega also remains in custody.
The suspect was arrested on 16 January in Nasoso after he allegedly scooped methamphetamine when the haul was being unloaded at the Namaka Police Station in Nadi.
Waqa said the investigations in the suspended officer's case "shouldn't take more than two weeks" before the file is passed on to the public prosecutor's office.
"The DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) will decide on laying of the charges against the officer," he said.
'Determined to deal'
Fiji's Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad said it is likely more drug busts are to come.
Prasad said the issue of drugs in Fiji is prolific and he hopes this government will change that.
"We knew that we already had a problem [when in the opposition]," he said.
"Now as a government we are determined to deal with this and we are taking a very strong stance on this issue."
