A joint operation by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority and the Fiji Police Force yesterday (Sunday) uncovered heroin, with a wholesale value of around $30million hidden in a container.
FRCA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jitoko Tikolevu said the illicit drugs were found in the tyres of a quad bike.
The drugs were tightly packed in about 80 packets. Preliminary tests revealed the content to be heroin.
“The seizure of heroin is rare. Heroin attracts a higher price than cocaine on the streets,” Mr Tikolevu said.
FRCA officers were assisted by Fiji Police Officers in the afternoon raid at the Lautoka Wharf.
The container was addressed to a local resident. The case has been handed over to Police for further investigations and prosecution.
“This is part of our snap operations. I commend our officers for carrying out their duties diligently in ensuring our borders are protected from the infiltration of illicit drugs.”
Acting Commissioner of Police Isikeli Vuniwaqa said the seizure is indicative of the hard work put in by law enforcers to keep such illicit substances from entering our borders.
“The Fiji Police Force has maintained that we will do all we can to eradicate drugs from our society”.
ACP Vuniwaqa said the success of the operation was due to the tireless work put in by officers of the Fiji Police Force.
“Let this be a warning to those thinking that Fiji is a country that you can use to trade or to tranship drugs should think again as we are closely monitoring our borders with the assistance of ”.
ACP Vuniwaqa also confirmed a suspect is in custody.
At this point we cannot divulge further details due the nature of investigations.
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE ( FRCA and FPF)