Police may have stumbled upon a new way street drug pushers are transporting drugs in broad daylight — hiding them inside masks.
A 34-year-old man was arrested at the Lautoka minibus stand this week after drugs, believed to be marijuana, were found wrapped inside a mask that was in his possession.
“The officers saw him acting in a suspicious manner and when approached and searched, the alleged illicit drugs were discovered wrapped in the face mask he was in possession of,” said police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro.
“He was found with sachets of dried leaves wrapped in aluminum foil believed to be marijuana wrapped inside a face mask. “The leaves have been sent for analysis as investigations continue,” she added.
Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr James Fong said the introduction of masks into society was related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“How people make use of it and any other agenda that is not related to COVID-19 and the mask, those are outside of my jurisdiction, I can’t say much about it,” Dr Fong said.
He said the alleged illegal use of masks “doesn’t deter us from the idea that the mask does protect against COVID-19”.
