SUVA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people charged over the Vatia drug seizure appeared before the High Court of Fiji sitting in Ba, western Fiji, on Friday.
The Vatia drug raid resulted in the seizure of 2,630 parcels of cocaine weighing 2.64 tonnes, with an estimated street value of about 1.2 billion Fijian dollars (around 527 million U.S. dollars), making it one of Fiji's largest cocaine seizures.
Local media reported that the Vatia operation forms part of a broader crackdown by the Fiji Police Force amid growing concern over drug trafficking and organized crime.
Recent large-scale raids across the Western Division have led to multiple arrests and significant drug seizures, prompting officials to describe the situation as a serious national concern.
Investigations into the Vatia case are ongoing. ■