SUVA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Police Force has successfully intercepted a major influx of illicit drugs in recent months, preventing an estimated 81.4 million Fijian dollars (around 36.3 million U.S. dollars) worth of narcotics from hitting the streets.

Between March and May 2025, police confiscated more than nine tons of harvested marijuana, with a street value of approximately 35 million U.S. dollars, local media reported.

Additionally, police seized 4.9 kg of white substances, suspected to be methamphetamine and related drugs, worth around 1.3 million U.S. dollars.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Aporosa Lutunauga said these significant seizures were the result of targeted drug operations in known hotspot regions, such as Kadavu, Navosa, and Cakaudrove, that have long been associated with cannabis cultivation and trafficking.

"These seizures reflect a disturbing trend in drug activity across rural Fiji," Lutunauga said, adding that many of marijuana farms that have been uprooted have no identifiable owners.

Lutunauga said that the challenge goes beyond enforcement. Communities must actively participate in efforts to stop the spread of drugs, especially in rural areas where criminal networks often exploit economic hardships. ■