We must act against transnational crime – Naivalurua

We must act now against countering transnational crime, particularly the illicit drug trade, as this is the current fight of the generation.

Minister for Policing, Ioane Naivalurua highlighted this during the two-day Transnational Crime in the Pacific Symposium held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Naivalurua says police and security arms from across the region are part of the symposium that aims to open crucial discussions on the challenges of transnational crime in the Pacific and finding suitable and tangible solutions to combat these illegal activities.

He says as leaders, policy makers, security professionals and civil society representatives, this is a fight we can't afford to walk away from.

The Minister further says the Pacific region is increasingly being targeted by transnational criminal organisations as a transit hub for drug trafficking, human smuggling and illegal/unreported and unregulated fishing.

Naivalurua stressed that the Government of Fiji is committed to countering transnational crime.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu is working closely with the Minister of Policing and his office on three key initiatives; police uplift initiative, review of existing legislation and strengthening the Illicit Drugs Control Act

He adds that Fiji is not alone in these efforts as the regional partners face similar challenges.