Fiji recorded 2,446 drug-related cases over the past year, with the majority involving young people — and Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has vowed to come down hard on both offenders and corrupt officers aiding the trade.
Speaking at the launch of the week-long International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) 2025 at Civic Centre in Suva today, Tudravu said: “Enough talk – it’s time for action. The onus is on us, as current custodians of Fiji, to make things right. We are not going to allow history to repeat itself.
“Enough of the pointing of fingers at who is right and who is wrong. We are dealing with a life and death situation. The devastating impacts drugs has on our society as we have heard are multiple, from social, to health with HIV numbers increasing due to drug use, sharing of needles.”
From May 2024 to May 2025, most cases involved marijuana (2,098), followed by methamphetamine (343) and cocaine (5). Of these, 1,506 involved youth aged 18–35, with 50 juveniles also caught — including three with meth. Methamphetamine cases have more than tripled in recent years, from just over 100 in 2020 to 366 in 2024.
Since the launch of Operation Sasamaki in March, police have seized nearly five tonnes of marijuana, along with methamphetamine linked to numerous arrests.
Addressing police involvement, Tudravu said: “I vow today to address this by removing anyone involved. We cannot afford to be aiding the very people who are bringing devastation into our country, communities and homes.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka echoed the urgency.
“Our shared goal is to protect our people and our future from the devastating grip of drug abuse and trafficking.”
He warned that the crisis threatens not only public health, but also Fiji’s tourism image:
“There is no happiness if we ignore the shadows threatening it.”
Gavoka announced the new Illicit Drugs-Free Fiji: Integrated Planning Space — a cross-sector platform coordinating harm reduction, supply reduction, treatment, and legal support — backed by the recruitment of over 1,000 new police officers in the 2025–2026 Budget.
Both leaders singled out the need for community involvement.
“Parents should be their child’s number one influence,” Tudravu said. “Pay attention to at-risk behaviour — it’s everyone’s job.”
“Every act of prevention shapes a stronger Fiji,” Gavoka added. “Let’s build a Fiji where happiness comes naturally — from safe communities and lives free from drugs.”
