Region: Enhanced regional cooperation likely to disrupt Pacific drug trafficking but not address structural issues for permanent reduction

Between 18-21 May, Pacific police leaders, international law enforcement agencies, and security experts convened at the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji. The summit was first announced in December 2025 and aimed to coordinate regional action against organised crime and illicit drug trafficking. During the proceedings, New Zealand’s acting Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Johnson announced the establishment of an International Joint Investigations Team in partnership with the Colombian National Police, funded by Australia and New Zealand, and supported by the US, Mexico, Colombia, and INTERPOL to identify and disrupt drug shipments destined for the Pacific. Officials reported that approximately 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mainly cocaine, had been seized across the Pacific since January 2026, compared with 4.6 tonnes seized during all of 2025. Discussions also focused on intelligence sharing, anti-money laundering cooperation, maritime surveillance, and regional coordination to counter transnational criminal networks.

Assessment: The summit demonstrates a growing regional and international consensus that transnational organised crime in the Pacific requires a coordinated multinational response. While enhanced intelligence sharing, joint investigations, and international partnerships are likely to improve interdiction outcomes, structural challenges including limited local capacity, vast maritime operating environments, the need for law reform, and improved rehabilitation capacity in the health sector will remain. The adaptability of Criminal networks are highly adaptable, therefore improved disruption of trafficking operations are unlikely to result in a long-term, permanent reduction in transnational criminal activity.

Sources: “Pacific Police Unite Against Drug Crime,” Fiji One, 20 May 2026; Kaya Selby, “NZ, Australian police announce Colombian base to combat Pacific drug surge,” RNZ, 20 May 2026.