Transnational Crime in the Pacific Islands: Real or Apparent Danger?

• NCJ Number: 215703
• Author(s): Rob McCusker
• Date Published: March 2006
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: AIC Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 308, March 2006; downloaded January 23, 2007.

Annotation

This paper explores the nature and quality of the available evidence concerning the issues of organized criminal networks to then determine the level of danger related to transnational crime in the Pacific Islands.

Abstract

Transnational crime activity in the Pacific Islands is rendered easier by the absence of government and law enforcement capacity. However, even if government and law enforcement capacity increased and improved, transnational crime would not simply vanish. Dealing with enhanced transnational crime issues depends on effective law enforcement and criminal justice infrastructure. However, the need is most important in understanding the role and impact of facilitating factors such as corruption, document fraud, identity theft, and money laundering. A variety of sources suggest that the Pacific Islands region is an actual or potential transnational crime hub. This paper summarizes the key issues reported in these sources and assesses whether they constitute sufficient evidence of a significant presence of organized criminal networks and the commission of transnational crime. Figures, references