Transnational crimes in the Pacific has worsened the region’s existing vulnerabilities and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, says acting Defence Minister Jone Usamate.
While speaking at the opening of the Inaugural Pacific Regional Law Enforcement Conference in Nadi, he said these issues had only crippled the region’s best efforts to effectively respond to transnational crime.
“The pandemic has resulted in increased unemployment, high cost of living, and lack of health resources,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this has become push factors for our people to join into these multimillion-dollar criminal networks.
“What is also unfortunate and is perhaps the greatest downside is that whilst there may be foreign masterminds involved, it is our own people that are directly involved in the illicit movement of drugs and narcotics in our streets, our schools, and communities.”
He said criminal activities across the region had also been further aggravated by the involvement of Pacific island people.
“It is our own people that are directly involved in the sketchy recruitment of our nationals to false hopes of greener pastures overseas and vice versa.
“The common denominator is devastating health, human and social issues across our Pacific community
. “This is just a portion of the challenges that will need to be addressed in order to disrupt transnational crime in the pacific.”
He added that while other regions made decisive steps to address these activities, the region could attract more criminals if it was not equipped.
