Public requested to contact Police regarding suspicious brown packages found floating at sea

Police are now requesting members of the public to call the Police toll free number 3318529 if they see any suspicious brown packages found floating out at sea or washed ashore.

Following the cocaine find in Lau, Acting Commissioner of Police, Itendra Nair is asking people to refrain from opening the packages as it may contain cocaine in its pure form that can be extremely harmful to one's health.

ACP Nair says the discovery of nine parcels containing white substances believed to be cocaine indicates there is a possibility of more being washed ashore.

They can confirm that the packaging of the three discoveries made to date are similar to two findings made in Tonga last month.

ACP Nair says while Police await the analysis to be conducted on the recent finds from Taveuni and in the Lau Group, they are working closely with the Fiji Navy and relevant stakeholders both locally and internationally as it is highly likely that the drugs were being transited through the Pacific and not intended for  Tonga and Fiji.

ACP Nair says the cocaine found in Tonga and the earlier discovery in the Lau group were tested to be the same type of cocaine which was in its pure state and in the same packaging.

The team of officers from the Organized Crime Unit are continuing with their work in the Lau group while the Divisional Crime Officer North is heading the investigations on the discovery made in Taveuni.

Police are also commending the communities that have come forward with information regarding the discoveries and are pleading with members of the public particularly those living in the maritime islands to report any suspicious activities through the toll free number.