The Fiji Police Force has ruled out the existence of a large commercial-grade drug manufacturing lab in Fiji.
Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu, in a media conference today said this conclusion comes following extensive intelligence gathering and information sharing with our local, regional, and international partners.
He said there is no intelligence to show that there are commercial clandestine laboratories in Fiji to produce methamphetamine.
Tudravu said Fiji is almost certainly only being used as a trans-shipment point for illicit drug trafficking to other lucrative drug markets.
The Police Commissoner said major crimes are linked to drugs, and the Police are determined to break the vicious cycle – one arrest and seizure and seizure at a time.
The Fiji Police also intends to review the Police Act 1965 to enhance its ability to deal with Fiji’s security challenges while ensuring professionalism across all ranks.
Tudravu said the review is an equally important area of focus that the Police will consult its line minister on how to expedite the process.
He said the Act in its current state, is not as effective to address the modern-day challenges of the rapidly evolving criminal landscape.
He said modernising the Police Act will also allow us to introduce internal mechanisms, intended to assist overall efforts of rebuilding trust and confidence, inculcating behaviour, culture, and values expected and demanded of any member of the Fiji Police Force.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu said he hopes the political masters recognise the independency of the Commissioner of Police and the Fiji Police Force.
He said at a press conference today, Fiji Police Force cannot be used as a political tool.
“I have to be honest here in terms of our investigation. Inference is always there,” he said.
“But that is where I’m directing the CID. I’ve already discussed it with our CID personally. Work on evidence. Be fair to the victim. Work on evidence.”
“I hope that our political masters know how the independency of the Commissioner of Police and the Fiji Police Force and they do not use Fiji police as a tool for their personal or political agenda.”
“I hope they understand that. If they do understand that, then we will carry out our functions in accordance with the Police Act,” he said.
