NCJ Number
196875
Journal
Jane's Intelligence Review Volume: 14 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 30-31
Editor(s)
Christopher C. Aaron
Date Published
September 2002
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the increased transnational criminal activity trend emerging in the South Pacific island states in relation to drug trafficking, human smuggling, and money laundering.
Abstract
Growing evidence has revealed that the South Pacific region is emerging as a drug trafficking, human smuggling, and money laundering corridor connecting Asia to markets in Australia and the United States or North America. This trend has become accelerated over recent years due to the deteriorating economic and political conditions in the South Pacific. Transnational crime has become a significant and serious threat to the states of the South Pacific in several ways. It is suggested that transnational criminal organizations are exploiting weaknesses in law enforcement in the South Pacific island states and trafficking illicit goods to other countries. In addition, international human smuggling syndicates see the region as a convenient stepping stone to North America, New Zealand, and Australia. Finally, the rise of an offshore banking industry in the South Pacific has also transformed the region into a potential center for international money laundering. To successfully counter these transnational threats depends on the state’s human and technical resources. However, many states often lack the resources, technology and technical capability to combat these threats. In addition, police leadership lacks the training or ability to adapt to change. Social and political stability with the Pacific island community is being challenged. Countermeasures will require international cooperation, as well as cooperation between the states, at both the strategic and tactical level. The creation of the Combined Law Agency Groups (CLAGs) (multi-agency task forces) is briefly discussed.