Police yesterday described as significant a drug raid they carried out in Waibau, Naitasiri.

Forty-eight three-metre tall marijuana plants and 16 small ones were uprooted from a farm. Their street value was still to be worked out by the Police analyst.

But Police director of operations Senior Superintendent Tito Elo said the bust was significant because the farm was not far from the nearest urban centre, Nausori. He said it was two hours from Sawani Police Station to the Waibau farm.

Mr Elo said: “This is one of the biggest drug farms nearest to an urban area and we are thankful to the community for their help in supplying us with the information.”

In November last year, acting on a tip-off, they raided the same area.

“But when we reached the marijuana farm only one plant was left. Thirty plants had been uprooted and taken.

“Now we’ve finally uprooted the marijuana plants from the same area but from a different farmer,” he said.

“However, there may be other likely cultivated marijuana areas around the Naitasiri area but they will only be made known based on the information we get from the community and the public,” he said.

Mr Elo warned the public that planting of marijuana was illegal.

“If they know it’s illegal then they should not plant it,” he said.

The Police forensic team is still conducting its investigation.

SSP Elo said the raid was part of  ongoing efforts by the officers and the K-9 unit in the war against illicit drugs.

Edited by Manasa Kalouniviti

Feedback: luisa.qiolevu@fijisun.com.fj