MILITARY TARGETS DOPE DEALERS, BOOTLEGGERS

RAIDS by the military on bootleggers and marijuana dealers in the
sugar city have been put on hold following operations over the
Christmas weekend.

A senior officer at the Duke of Edinburgh Barracks in Lautoka
yesterday confirmed that since the weekend, they had not conducted
any raid on illegal operators.

But, he said the military conduct raids when information was provided
about illegal activities.

On Friday, soldiers raided a marijuana dealer and some liquor
outlets, confiscating dried leaves and at least 50 cartons of beer
and liquor.

A senior officer said the raids conducted on Friday were to ensure
Lautoka was safe for everyone during the festive season.

He said the raids would ensure a crime-free and safe festive
season.

He said most crimes committed in Lautoka were drug and alcohol
related cases and the raids would curb the crime rate.

The officer said they were trying to tackle the cause of the problem
rather than waiting for it to explode.

While the officer confirmed that all drugs confiscated were handed
over to police, it is believed the alcohol has been kept at the
camp's armoury.

Officers from the Lautoka Police Station were out patrolling all
popular picnic spots searching for people drinking alcohol in public
areas.

A senior police officer confirmed the patrols were being conducted
with the help of the military to help in curbing crime.

The officer said such patrols would continue throughout the festive
season.