Pubdate: Thu, 28 Dec 2006
Source: Fiji Times (Fiji)
Copyright: 2006 Fiji Times Limited
Contact:  http://www.fijitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3445

MILITARY TARGETS DOPE DEALERS, BOOTLEGGERS

RAIDS by the military on bootleggers and marijuana  dealers in the
sugar city have been put on hold  following operations over the
Christmas weekend.

A senior officer at the Duke of Edinburgh Barracks in  Lautoka
yesterday confirmed that since the weekend,  they had not conducted
any raid on illegal operators.

But, he said the military conduct raids when  information was provided
about illegal activities.

On Friday, soldiers raided a marijuana dealer and some  liquor
outlets, confiscating dried leaves and at least  50 cartons of beer
and liquor.

A senior officer said the raids conducted on Friday  were to ensure
Lautoka was safe for everyone during the  festive season.

He said the raids would ensure a crime-free and safe  festive
season.

He said most crimes committed in Lautoka were drug and  alcohol
related cases and the raids would curb the  crime rate.

The officer said they were trying to tackle the cause  of the problem
rather than waiting for it to explode.

While the officer confirmed that all drugs confiscated  were handed
over to police, it is believed the alcohol  has been kept at the
camp's armoury.

Officers from the Lautoka Police Station were out  patrolling all
popular picnic spots searching for  people drinking alcohol in public
areas.

A senior police officer confirmed the patrols were  being conducted
with the help of the military to help  in curbing crime.

The officer said such patrols would continue throughout  the festive
season.
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MAP posted-by: Derek