The growing threat of illicit drugs in the Pacific has gathered policing leaders in Fiji in an unprecedented “Pacific Transnational Crime Summit” to address the drugs crisis in the Pacific.
The Pacific Transnational Crime Summit was launched by the Fiji Police Force and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) this week, 18-21 May 2026.
Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett, and Pacific Island Chiefs of Police aim to progress new strategies and tactics to identify and target organised criminals trafficking illicit drugs to, and through the Pacific.
The Pacific-focused summit draws upon the experience of law enforcement officers across the Pacific, Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group representatives, and international agencies.
It comes as 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, has been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific region since January. That is equivalent to about three tonnes of illicit drugs seized every month since the start of this year, according to AFP.
For the entire year in 2025, the total seizure of illicit commodities in the Pacific region was about 4.6 tonnes.
AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said, “While most of these drugs are still trafficked to Australia, we are now seeing instances of organised crime sending illicit commodities directly to the Pacific to find another market."
“The intent of the conference is to strengthen ties with law enforcement partners and to share information about the strategic challenges and find tangible solutions to threats."
International Joint Investigations Team
The AFP and New Zealand Police, Australian Border Force, and New Zealand Customs will also announce the funding of an International Joint Investigations Team partnering with the Colombian National Police to help stop illicit drug shipments coming to the region.
Pacific Police are expected to announce a number of initiatives following the conclusion of the summit including a Pacific-wide campaign asking Pacific Islanders to send suspicious sightings of maritime vessels in their waters to law enforcement for intelligence gathering.
More than 14 police leaders from 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 are attending, listening, and are presenting in panel discussions in the summit.
Tonga's Minister for Police and Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua and Police Commissioner Geoff Turner attended.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that, "Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua's participation reflects the Government of Tonga's continued commitment to strengthening national security, protecting Tonga's borders, combating illicit drugs and transnational crime, and supporting stronger regional cooperation to ensure a safer and more secure Pacific region."
