SUVA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- A total of 51 bars of cocaine have been found within Fijis borders, Fijian Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho while opening the Fiji Narcotics committee workshop in Suva on Monday.
Qiliho said the recent finds were being transported to Suva by the Fiji Navy for analysis.
The Fijian Police is working with the Fiji Navy and relevant overseas and local stakeholders after cocaine packets were recently discovered on the shores of Fiji's eastern islands and on Taveuni Island, which is Fiji's third largest island.
I can also confirm that the 51 bars have an estimated street value of 43 million Fijian dollars (about 20.4 million U.S. dollars) and that similar findings were made in Tonga where 58 bars in total were found on two of their islands, and have been confirmed to be the same quality of cocaine found here in Fiji.
Qiliho said the close proximity of the Tongan group of islands to Fiji was a major concern however, any drug discovery in the Pacific was equally concerning.
He said that more than 10 kg of methamphetamine was seized in Fiji from January to June this year.
The seizures may seem small compared to the seizures of cocaine and marijuana, but it however does not give it less prominence, because the statistics speak for themselves as there have been numerous seizures, which equates to more people that are indulging in this illicit activity.
Qiliho said 10 police officers are in the Lau Group of islands conducting investigation following the discoveries made there.
Strengthening collaboration among respective institutions was important to stay ahead on the war on drugs in Fiji, he added.
Qiliho said the war on drugs was a never ending battle that evolved at a rapid pace.
He reiterated during his opening remarks at the Nacotics committee workshop in Suva on Monday the importance of an integrated, multilateral, and multi-agency response to control drug problems.
The workshop aims to discuss current regional and global drug trends.
Participants from law enforcement institutions will also gain better understanding of the challenges faced and find ways to stop illicit drug trade from entering the country.
Drug experts from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are facilitating the one- day workshop.
The Matangi Tonga, Tonga's leading news website, reported earlier that police in Tonga had seized 58 kg of cocaine worth around 13 million U.S. dollars amid growing international concern that the Pacific region was becoming a transit point for drugs.
