To combat the growing threat of illicit drugs in the region, a new International Joint Investigations Team will be set up in Colombia to target traffickers as the Australian Federal Police Commissioner says Australia’s insatiable appetite for illegal drugs, and the high price Australians pay to consume these dangerous substances, is putting significant pressure on the Pacific family.
At the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit currently underway in Nadi, Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett and Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police are progressing new strategies and tactics to identify and target organised criminals trafficking illicit drugs to, and through, the Pacific.
According to Police, it comes as 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized by local and international law enforcement agencies in the Pacific region since January.
They say this is equivalent to about three tonnes of illicit drugs seized every month since the start of this year.
They add that the total seizure of illicit commodities across the Pacific region in 2025 was about 4.6 tonnes.
Police say the summit will also include law enforcement and illicit drug experts from around the world who will provide insights and experience on how to counter cartels and other syndicates.
Speakers include representatives from Europe’s Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics), INTERPOL, the French Navy, Colombian Navy, US Homeland Security Investigations, the Royal Thai Police, Pacific law enforcement agencies and the AFP.
Police leaders from more than 14 countries and territories, including Tonga, Mexico, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands, Tokelau, New Caledonia and Tuvalu, will listen and present during panel discussions.
The AFP, New Zealand Police, Australian Border Force and New Zealand Customs will also announce funding for an International Joint Investigations Team partnering with the Colombian National Police to help stop illicit drug shipments coming into the region.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett says the summit was needed to target cartels and transnational serious organised crime groups that have directed tonnes of illicit drugs to, and through, the Pacific.
Commissioner Barrett says while most of these drugs are still trafficked to Australia, authorities are now seeing instances of organised crime groups sending illicit commodities directly to the Pacific to find another market.
She adds that the aim of the conference is to strengthen ties with law enforcement partners, share information about strategic challenges and find practical solutions to threats.
Barrett says the best solutions for the Pacific come from Pacific leaders and authorities will work together to keep the region safe.
Insert: Barret on drugs, 21st May 26
Commissioner Tudravu says the summit reflects the Pacific’s call for action in tackling transnational crime as a region.
He says the way forward is genuine collaboration that is realistic and achievable for Pacific law enforcement agencies.
Tudravu says the region faces many challenges, and the summit is an opportunity to strengthen regional collaboration and address those challenges collectively.
He adds that the Pacific is fighting back.
Tudravu says strategies must be Pacific-led and supported by enhanced coordination between national and regional institutions, focusing on harm and supply reduction, as the impacts of transnational organised crime are multi-dimensional and require holistic regional responses.
Insert: Tudravu on tackle, 21st May 26
Pacific Police are expected to announce a number of initiatives following the conclusion of the summit, including a Pacific-wide campaign encouraging people to report suspicious maritime vessel sightings to law enforcement agencies for intelligence gathering.
