Drug cartels are exploiting the vulnerability of ordinary unemployed villagers – Justice Goundar

High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar says the cultivation of marijuana especially on secluded locations is becoming too prevalent in our community.

He made these comments while sentencing two youths to 7 years imprisonment for cultivating marijuana in Kadavu.

Justice Goundar says drug cartels are turning to ordinary unemployed villagers and exploiting their socio-economic vulnerability.

The Judge further says those involved in this lucrative business have no regard to the harm the illicit drug causes to society.

Justice Goundar adds if this evil is not controlled, it will spread, causing many social problems and destroy many lives.

He says the court's duty is to denounce such conduct and deter others from drug cultivation.

The two unemployed youths from Kadavu cultivated 25kg worth of marijuana plants.

19-year-old Josaia Delai and 20-year-old Viliame Mocevakaceva pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful cultivation of an illicit drug, and had also led the Police officers to their farm.

1,202 marijuana plants were seized from the farm.

The incident happened in March last year.

A non-parole period of 4 years has been set.