A TOTAL of 577 marijuana plants have been uprooted in Navosa so far this year.
This was confirmed by the Station Officer at Keiyasi Police Station, Inspector Uraia Davu.
He said the plants were uprooted during three farm raids made by police officers in the Navosa highlands.
"In the first farm raid we uprooted 170 plants, the second were 117 plants and in the recent one we managed to uproot 290 plants," said Insp Davu.
"We have noticed that the drug cultivation is slowly increasing despite the extensive awareness made.
"We are also aware that most people in the highlands are at the moment cultivating the drug."
Insp Davu said the police had also found out during most raids that all family members were involved in the drug business.
"We just uncovered a case where a lady was transporting the drug to Sigatoka," he said.
"And in another case a chief was aware of the drug cultivation after being presented with a tabua by youths for the chief to grant permission to them for the use of the district land for marijuana cultivation.
"Drug cultivation is again emerging and we will exhaust all avenues to identify and prosecute those involved."
Insp Davu said there would be no reconciliation for the perpetrators and those found involved would face the full brunt of the law.
"We are sending a strong warning to perpetrators that we will not accept traditional reconciliation as used to be practiced in yesteryears.
"The law will apply to everyone irrespective of their status, age, gender or race," he said.