News:2026-07-29/Policy/kadavu-chiefs-call-for-stronger-police-presence-over-cannabis-cultivation-and-methamphetamine-flows

NewsPolicy29 July 2026

Kadavu chiefs call for stronger police presence over cannabis cultivation and methamphetamine flows

Speaking after a Kadavu Provincial Council meeting, Turaga na Tui Yale Ratu Navitalai Litidamu said chiefs were urging the government to review police operations on the island and resume regular raids, saying Kadavu continued to be known for cannabis cultivation while raids had become less frequent. He said methamphetamine was increasingly moving into the island because boats travelling to Kadavu were not inspected as boats arriving in Suva were, a gap he said affected many maritime islands. The chiefs supported the government's eradication efforts but called for proper consultation and a vakavanua approach when enforcing the law in villages. Ratu Navitalai said the council encouraged villagers to pursue alternative incomes, particularly yaqona farming, that demand in Suva continued to drive production and that officers lacked fuel and resources for regular village patrols. He proposed stationing officers in villages, with communities providing accommodation and the government supplying fuel and operational support. He noted villages had no legal authority of their own to remove people involved in drugs, with criminal matters remaining the responsibility of the police. Reported by Pita Toganivalu for fijivillage News on 29 July 2026.

Read the source report

PlaceKadavuEastern DivisionFiji

Growing areaKadavu Island

AgencyFiji Police Force

Approximate location-19.05, 178.25

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2026-07-29 Policy Kadavu chiefs call for stronger police presence over cannabis cultivation and methamphetamine flows Speaking after a Kadavu Provincial Council meeting, Turaga na Tui Yale Ratu Navitalai Litidamu said chiefs were urging the government to review police operations on the island and resume regular raids, saying Kadavu continued to be known for cannabis cultivation while raids had become less frequent. He said methamphetamine was increasingly moving into the island because boats travelling to Kadavu were not inspected as boats arriving in Suva were, a gap he said affected many maritime islands. The chiefs supported the government's eradication efforts but called for proper consultation and a vakavanua approach when enforcing the law in villages. Ratu Navitalai said the council encouraged villagers to pursue alternative incomes, particularly yaqona farming, that demand in Suva continued to drive production and that officers lacked fuel and resources for regular village patrols. He proposed stationing officers in villages, with communities providing accommodation and the government supplying fuel and operational support. He noted villages had no legal authority of their own to remove people involved in drugs, with criminal matters remaining the responsibility of the police. Reported by Pita Toganivalu for fijivillage News on 29 July 2026. https://www.fijivillage.com/news/kadavu-chiefs-call-for-stronger-police-presence-as-marijuana-cultivation-and-meth-concerns-grow-629e4e/ Fiji Eastern Division Kadavu Kadavu Island 19° 3' 0.00" S, 178° 15' 0.00" E Fiji Police Force https://www.fijivillage.com/news images/20260729080647 media 6a690b8e55b616 82354703.jpg