Fijian police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu Photo: Screengrab/Fiji Police Force
Fiji's police chief said his force has been vindicated by the imprisonment of those behind the country's biggest methamphetamine trafficking operation.
Police commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said officers had faced public criticism over whether they were capable of handling such a significant case.
Tudravu spoke out after the ringleader, Justin Ho, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Lautoka High Court on Thursday.
In a landmark ruling, Justice Aruna Aluthge included a 30-year non-parole period in Ho's sentence.
Ho and eight others were found guilty on charges relating to a 4.1 tonne plus drug haul following a record drug bust by police last year.
Ho's co-accused were also handed substantial prison terms and varying non-parole periods.
They were David Heritage, Louie Logaivau, Jale Aukerea, Sakiusa Tuva, Ratu Aporosa Davelevu, Ratu Osea Levula, Cathy Tuirabe and Viliame Colawaliku.
Tudravu praised all of the officers, their families and stakeholders who contributed to the successful conviction as it was a major win the battle against drugs."
"It was not easy and it required sacrifices, long hours and time away from home, amid public criticism."
He said this included questioning the ability of the Fiji police to handle a case of such magnitude.
"...even to the point where there were false accusations made to discredit the investigations," he said.
However, all involved were persistent to secure a successful conviction and he acknowledged Fiji's regional partners.
"The verdict has boosted the morale of all police officers in the ongoing fight against illicit drugs and we will ensure the momentum continues with green and white drugs."
The verdict would send a strong message that Fiji was not working alone and that the police in the Pacific region were united.
He said a team was currently analysing information released during the trial.
All nine were charged with the importation and possession of 4.1 plus tonnes of methamphetamine between November 2023 and January 2024 in Nadi.
Additionally Ho, Logaivau and Aukerea were charged with having property suspected of being from the proceeds of a crime.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Suva acknowledged the hard work of the Fiji Police Force team involved in the investigation.
In a brief statement, the ODPP said the team were instrumental in stopping the largest drug trade in the Pacific and securing evidence that led to a successful prosecution.
