Police Chiefs’ discuss impacts of drug trafficking in the Pacific at World Police Summit

Commissioners and senior Police from Fiji, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Australia recently joined representatives from over 185 countries, at the World Police Summit in Dubai.

The Summit theme "Beyond the Badge: Envision the Next Era of Policing" provided a platform for law enforcement professionals, government representatives, and industry innovators to discuss emerging trends, explore new technologies, and address the challenges of modern policing.

With more than 300 globally renowned speakers, 922+ Global Leaders, 85+ Chiefs of Police and over 170 leading exhibitors in safety and security, the Summit is the ultimate hub for driving innovation and transforming the global law enforcement ecosystem.

The summit hosted a panel discussion highlighting the Pacific’s fight against drug trafficking, led by Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, New Zealand Police Assistant Commissioner Bruce O'Brien and Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Chris Woods.

Panellist Commissioner Mangau discussed the spillover effects of drug trafficking in Pacific countries which has resulted in a rise in local drug use, increased criminal activity, increased risks of corruption and vulnerability to exploitation. This presents social and cultural consequences, and causes a strain on law enforcement, as Pacific countries lack the resources to effectively combat organised drug trafficking.

Panel discussions echoed findings from a 2024 Transnational Organised Crime Threat Assessment by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which stated the transnational organized crime threat environment in the Pacific is evolving faster than in any previous point in history.

The report further stated, "transnational organized crime groups are targeting the region as an increasingly important transit route for the trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine to and from neighbouring regions."

"The increase in traffic has also led to a spillover in domestic markets in the Pacific, and authorities in some countries have observed a rise in the availability and use of drugs, particularly methamphetamine”.

Commissioner Mangau reaffirmed that strengthening law enforcement is essential, and it was important to work together with urgency and unity to address this challenge.

This was echoed by Commissioner Tudravu who shared "Our strength as a region lies in our unity. When we weave together our efforts— just as we would weave a mat from many strands—we create something far stronger than any one of us alone. To reclaim the Pacific from drug trafficking, we must stand together, grounded in shared purpose and mutual respect”.

Panellists highlighted how current and future strategies such as the Pacific Transnational Crime Network and the Pacific Policing Initiative are being utilised to reduce the Pacific’s vulnerability and reclaim the grip of drug traffickers.

The panel provided an excellent forum for the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police to connect, collaborate and lead Pacific Police excellence in pursuit of a safe and secure Pacific.

While reflecting on the summit, Commissioner Tudravu shared “This is the first time that Fiji Police have attended such a global policing event. It presented me with an opportunity to share in person with such a large non-Pacific audience the impacts of transnational crime across the Pacific and in Fiji”.

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