Pubdate: Sat, 10 Jul 2004
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2004 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445

POLICE SEEK FOREIGN DRUG LINK

POLICE have not ruled out the possibility of foreign involvement in
the wide-scale cultivation of marijuana in the Navosa highlands.

This was confirmed by police spokesman Mesake Koroi last night as a
team of 30 officers continued with its drug operation in the province.

On reports that a foreigner could be behind the wide-scale cultivation
of marijuana in the province, he said the force was aware of that and
investigations were continuing.

On whether the police had spoken to the foreigner, he said it was
premature to comment on that.

"We have not ruled out the possibility that a foreigner could be
involved in the cultivation of marijuana in the area," he said.

Divisional Crime Officer Western Superintendent Vijay Singh was
unaware of such a report when contacted last night.

He said he was yet to get feedback from the team involved in the
operation at Navosa since Tuesday.

The officers are from Ba, Lautoka, Namaka, Nadi, Sigatoka and Keiyasi
police stations. They were still conducting raids in the province last
night.

Meanwhile, the turaga ni koro of Sawene Village in Navosa, Kitione
Rokoura, said village headmen should be allowed to punish drug offenders.

His call comes in the wake of an increase in the cultivation of
marijuana by villagers.

Since the start of the operation, police have uprooted about 5000
marijuana plants from various places in the region.

"I believe that village headmen should be allowed to punish those
caught planting marijuana by giving them a good beating," said Mr
Rokoura, who patrols his village and surrounding areas at night.

"Corporal punishment under village law would be a good lesson because
right now, we see that people continue to plant even after coming out
of prison." 
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