Resolve to Combat Drug Woes Impresses Agency
United States Drug Enforcement Agency (USDEA) has commended Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho for ensuring that Fiji combats clandestine labs.
When responding to the Fiji Sun queries, US Drug Enforcement Administration, country attaché Kevin Merkel said the DEA was committed to assisting Fiji in the fight against methamphetamine and any other drug crisis that arose in the future.
The USDEA has conducted a two-week course where Police and customs officers were able to learn about the evolving drug trade, precursor training and on clandestine labs. The course ended last week. “We have a shared interest in combating this serious problem, which knows no geographic boundaries,” Mr Merkel said.
“We are happy to have the chance to share our experiences.
“The training this week is the latest example of our commitment in this regard.
“It is part of our efforts to work with Fiji to address this problem and find shared solutions. We encourage and support Commissioner Qiliho, who takes the issue seriously and is energised to implementing effective measures that suit Fiji’s unique circumstances. “We wouldn’t want to tell Fiji how it should structure its efforts bureaucratically: we appreciate Fiji’s resolve and are happy to help in whatever way we can.”
Mr Merkel said Fiji wasn’t alone in the war on drugs.
The two-week training provides an opportunity to exchange best practices, which they have learned in the United States through long, painful experience.
“We are discussing, from a lawenforcement perspective, the methods of crime syndicates across the globe, in particular how criminals take advantage of the local community and profit from their addiction,” Mr Merkel said.
“We are sharing our experiences in investigating drug crimes, identifying and handling evidence, building a case and – most of all – keeping people safe, including law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk.
“The things Police officers across the globe see are not for the faint of heart, which is why law enforcement officers form lasting bonds quickly. Fiji is no different.” Mr Merkel said the US Embassy Regional Security Office was committed to engaging in direct training co-ordination with the Police Commissioner based on the specific needs of the Fiji Police Force. “The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) training is the result of close collaboration between the Police Commissioner and the US Regional Security Office,” he said. “The DEA has been extremely impressed with the Fiji Police, Customs and Immigration Officers attention during the course and their motivation to increase their capacity is clearly evident.
“The DEA and Embassy Regional Security Office are excited about the prospects of building on this training for future law enforcement initiatives and investigative co-operation.”
There were 34 Police officers and three customs officers participating in the two-week course.