Five men are in police custody after they were allegedly found with dried leaves believed to be marijuana.
All arrests were made in the northern division.
Chief Operations Officer Acting ACP Livai Driu says the focus on the illegal drug trade continues its momentum in the North with raids resulting in the seizure of substances believed to be marijuana.
Driu says officers acting on information received conducted raids resulting in the arrest of the five men.
He says the first raid was conducted on Thursday in Vunivau, Labasa, which led to the arrest of two farmers aged 45 and 58 years old, after sachets of dried leaves believed to be marijuana and smoking apparatus were found in their home.
He adds the next day, the third arrest was made at the Labasa market, where a 27-year-old farmer was allegedly found with dried leaves believed to be marijuana.
The Chief Operations Officer says the same team of officers, while at the Labasa market, also arrested a 26-year-old man after he was found with several bullets of dried leaves, also believed to be marijuana.
He says the fifth arrest was also made on Thursday at Nasoi Lane, Labasa Town, where a 48-year-old farmer was allegedly found with a clear plastic containing loose green leaves believed to be marijuana.
Driu says the post-festive season period is also known as a peak period for the illicit drug trade and with the support of the public who are coming forward with information, more arrests are being made throughout the country.
He further says that raids and arrests continued to be made throughout the festive period.
Driu has also acknowledged the support of the public in assisting police, and this is reflective of a society that is committed to working together to eradicate the illicit drug trade and has commended the ongoing support.
