The evolving threat of transnational organized crime in the Pacific region
- Admin
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
By Ron Rocky Coloma
Organized crime is quietly embedding itself across the Pacific, exploiting vulnerabilities in laws, governance and infrastructure. Once considered peripheral to the interests of global criminal syndicates, the Pacific islands now face mounting challenges from transnational criminal networks trafficking drugs, laundering money, exploiting natural resources and corrupting public institutions.
"The Pacific used to be relatively free of organized crime," said Julie Haggie of Transparency International New Zealand, as she opened a virtual panel on the topic. "Now, there are long fingers of evil using their illegal behavior, including bribery and fraud, and we know the deadly impact that they have on our communities."
The webinar featured prominent researchers and practitioners addressing the rise of transnational organized crime in the Pacific. The speakers explored the spread of criminal influence through financial flows, policy loopholes and border insecurity. The forum was hosted by Transparency International New Zealand, with support from both New Zealand and Australian foreign affairs departments.
Dr. Jose Sousa-Santos, an associate professor at the University of Canterbury and a subject matter expert on regional security, emphasized that organized crime is no longer just a law enforcement issue.
"Transnational organized crime continues to pose significant threats to Pacific nations, communities and economies," Sousa-Santos said. "It is pervasive and devastating, infiltrating every facet of our societies, eroding trust in institutions and undermining the very fabric of our Pacific way of life."
The impact is most visible in the rise of drug-related crime, social disintegration and normalization of corruption, he added. Corrupt actors have co-opted state institutions, using money and influence to evade scrutiny.
Tevita Tupou, trade and customs advisor with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, echoed these concerns.
Identified trafficking routes of methamphetamine impacting the Pacific.
"You cannot prosecute your way out of this problem," Tupou said. "You can fill up all the prisons in the Pacific, and these guys will keep smiling and coming."
Tupou outlined how organized crime exploits legal trade and financial systems.
"The flow of goods, people, information and finances has existed for centuries. What has changed is the volume, speed and impact of these flows," he said. "Criminals latch onto legitimate frameworks and use them for illicit gain."
Despite widespread recognition of policy gaps and outdated laws, many Pacific countries remain slow to reform.
"Our laws are fragmented and outdated. We still treat transnational crime as a domestic problem, when it is clearly international," he said. "Cartels use our water systems, our ports. And our enforcement remains reactive rather than preventative."
Tupou argued that Pacific nations must rethink and retool their systems.
"Are we bold enough to rewrite the rules that govern our systems in the Pacific?" he asked. "The very systems we rely on are now being used against us."
Journalism plays a crucial role in uncovering these issues, according to Aubrey Belford, Pacific editor for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
"The reason why governments struggle so much with corruption is that crime and corruption are networked, global and massive," Belford said. "Meanwhile, law enforcement is constrained by borders, bureaucracy and lack of resources."
He explained how journalists can operate across jurisdictions, collect documentary evidence and expose the intricate web of corruption that often eludes traditional prosecution.
"We work with journalists in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands," he said. "They understand the local context. We help build the evidentiary cases that civil society and law enforcement can act upon."
Belford highlighted recent investigative efforts, including work uncovering ties between Chinese criminal syndicates and Pacific political elites. OCCRP stories revealed links between alleged drug traffickers and high-profile business people with connections to the Chinese government.
"We're not just talking about isolated crimes," he said. "This is systemic activity, often enabled by foreign actors and protected by domestic political structures."
One case exposed in Papua New Guinea involved a man convicted of crimes in China who resurfaced to conduct illegal mining operations. Others focused on unexplained wealth accumulation by politicians in Solomon Islands.
Virginia Comolli, head of the Pacific program at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, called for a more resilient and community-focused approach to confronting organized crime.
"Crime undermines governance, security, health and development. We need to frame the fight against organized crime as a resilience issue," Comolli said.
She identified three critical gaps facing the region: reluctance to prosecute politically connected criminals, limited institutional capacity and fragmented donor-driven law enforcement strategies.
"There are places where known criminals or corrupt officials are effectively untouchable," she said. "And there's duplication of donor efforts without clarity on local needs."
Comolli called for a greater focus on civil society, media and traditional community leaders.
"Support for a free, independent media is essential," she said. "And civil society organizations are on the frontlines, supporting victims, raising awareness and advocating for reforms."
She added that regional cooperation must build on existing frameworks, rather than creating new ones. "We don't need new organizations. We need better collaboration between police, customs, environmental agencies, NGOs and communities," she said. "A cross-sectoral approach is essential."
One area where enforcement could immediately improve is asset forfeiture, Tupou said. "The only reason organized crime operates is that there is money to be made," he said. "If we hit them where it hurts, we change the game."
Comolli agreed, but warned that enforcement alone is not enough.
"Yes, asset seizure matters," she said. "But so does transparency, data sharing and giving citizens the tools to hold their governments accountable."
Asked what kinds of crimes are growing fastest in the region, Belford pointed to environmental crimes such as illegal fishing and logging, often tied to foreign companies and conducted with local political support.
"There are massive environmental, financial and human costs," he said. "These operations poison water, destroy forests and enrich a few at the expense of the many."
Human trafficking also emerged as a major concern. Comolli said the fishing, logging and mining sectors are hotbeds for labor and sexual exploitation.
"Fishing fleets often exploit foreign laborers for months at sea in brutal conditions," she said. "We’ve also documented women and girls trafficked near logging camps and mining sites."
Looking ahead, the panelists agreed that the Pacific must act swiftly, creatively and collectively. "Organized crime is sophisticated and fast-moving," Sousa-Santos said. "If we do not adapt, we will be overwhelmed."
But the solutions, they argued, lie not just in new laws or more arrests. "Our greatest strength in the Pacific is our resilience," Tupou said. "We need to find it, protect it and let it guide our response."
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