Police deserve To get extra Funding to Fight illicit Drug trade And crime

The Police seizure of more than $86 million worth of marijuana in the past three to four weeks in Kadavu vindicates their acquisition of two drones in their ongoing war against illicit drugs.

The $60,000 drones can fly over inhospitable terrain that is hard to access by foot. In Kadavu they captured images of marijuana plants that they later seized.

The seizure comes at the same time the Government is giving more money to the Police to recruit more officers and invest in equipment and facilities to help fight drugs and crime.

Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho said more than 1.2 tonnes of marijuana were seized in Kadavu alone which was made possible via the drones.

He said the Police were investing in technology and the drones were bought by Government finances in the previous budget.

Kadavu has been identified as a hot spot for the drug trade.

The rugged inland mountainous area is conveniently used by drug cultivators because marijuana farms are not easily accessible and are well concealed from the public eye.

However, they are easily detected through aerial survey and this is where the drones have come in handy.

We cannot afford to slow down on our war against drugs. The drug trade benefits a few because it’s described as easy money. But its negative impact on our nation and its people cannot be quantified.

Proceeds from the drug trade is black money because it is not taxable and gives those engaged in it a false sense of financial security.

When the law finally catches up with them they can spend years behind bars – years they should have been involved in lawful economic activities.

Perhaps the most serious consequence of the drug trade is that it is destroying lives.

People who get hooked on drugs, lose their sense of independence and suffer from debilitating mental health problems. Tragically many have died prematurely.

That is why the Police must get all the help they need to crush the drug trade.