News:2022-07-04/Policy/police-commissioner-warns-kadavu-landowners-they-can-be-held-liable-for-cannabis-grown-on-their-land

NewsPolicy4 July 2022

Police Commissioner warns Kadavu landowners they can be held liable for cannabis grown on their land

Speaking at the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting in Tavuki village, Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho warned that landowners may be held responsible for cannabis cultivation on their land under the Drug Act 2004, even if they were unaware of the activity. The statement responded to a plea raised by a local man during a talanoa session with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Qiliho noted cultivation was occurring within 10 minutes of villages alongside cassava, dalo and yaqona, and said police had deployed surveillance technology including drones and engaged church partners but that drones alone could not resolve the problem. He confirmed a police team on Kadavu had uprooted approximately 40,000 cannabis plants in the prior week, with a court destruction order pending.

Read the source report

PlaceTavukiKadavuEastern DivisionFiji

Growing areaKadavu Island

AgencyFiji Police Force

Approximate location-19.05, 178.16

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• 23 Sep 2026Police uproot 1,085 cannabis plants at a farm in the Waisagavuna area of Savusavu

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2022-07-04 Policy Police Commissioner warns Kadavu landowners they can be held liable for cannabis grown on their land Speaking at the Kadavu Provincial Council meeting in Tavuki village, Commissioner of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho warned that landowners may be held responsible for cannabis cultivation on their land under the Drug Act 2004, even if they were unaware of the activity. The statement responded to a plea raised by a local man during a talanoa session with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Qiliho noted cultivation was occurring within 10 minutes of villages alongside cassava, dalo and yaqona, and said police had deployed surveillance technology including drones and engaged church partners but that drones alone could not resolve the problem. He confirmed a police team on Kadavu had uprooted approximately 40,000 cannabis plants in the prior week, with a court destruction order pending. https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/top-cop-issues-stern-warning-for-landowners-cultivating-marijuana Fiji Eastern Division Kadavu Tavuki Kadavu Island 19° 3' 0.00" S, 178° 9' 36.00" E Fiji Police Force