Police have directed their audit team to conduct checks on drug vaults, including those in Totogo and Lautoka, as part of measures to strengthen the security of drug exhibits following the disappearance of cocaine from a High Court exhibit.

The Police Commissioner says drug exhibits currently in Police custody have been centralised at designated vaults, with the audit team instructed to check and double-check drugs and cash held.

He says investigators also tested the remaining drug parcels after seven bars were found missing, with the results confirming that the remaining exhibits had not been tampered with.

The Commissioner says six persons of interest from the Judiciary have been identified, with investigations covering both cases involving the missing drug exhibits.

He says a wider audit of court exhibits could establish whether any other items are missing or have been compromised.

The Commissioner says the incident has highlighted the need to review existing systems, procedures and standard operating procedures governing the storage, security and management of drug exhibits.

By: Litia Rabua