FJ$2 billion cocaine bust in Spain, packs labelled as Fiji
Spain has seized 13 tonnes of cocaine worth almost FJD$2 billion (US$1 billion) in the biggest drug raid in its history, and most of the packs were labelled as
Drugs
Fijian rugby player admits to supplying cocaine, stranded in Fiji
Female rugby player, Aliti Namoce, who admitted to supplying cocaine and ketamine in Sydney’s CBD is stranded in the Pacific Islands after her visa to return to Australia after a competition was refused, a court has
Fiji businessman jailed for drugs deported back home
Fijian businessman Aiyaz Mohammed Musa Umarji, who smuggled drugs into New Zealand has been released from jail and deported to
Regional law enforcement initiative launched amid rising maritime crimes in the Pacific
The United States and the Pacific island states have rolled out a regional initiative to boost maritime patrol and curb criminal activities around the region, which has gained notoriety as a “drug highway.” The
Australian Police put brakes on ‘drug superhighway’ in $44m bust
Police say they will not let organised crime turn the Pacific into an “illicit drug superhighway” after two men were allegedly caught with 110kg of cocaine in Queensland’s remote north. The men – both
PRF expresses grave concerns following discovery of needles and syringes amidst rising drug cases
PRF Expresses Grave Concerns Following Discovery of Needles and Syringes Amidst Rising Drug Cases Amidst the rise in drug cases in Fiji, Pacific Recycling Foundation is issuing an urgent appeal, expressing deep concern
Medicinal cannabis now permitted in Cook Islands with prescription
Islanders and visitors can now bring in medicinal cannabis into the Cook Islands from New Zealand and Australia provided they meet certain requirements, says Te Marae Ora (TMO), Ministry for Health. Minister for Health
Opinion: Silent epidemic: The devastating impact of drugs on Fiji’s health and wellbeing
Fiji faces a critical mental health crisis, with rising drug abuse cases being one of several contributing factors. Social and economic challenges, along with limited access to mental health services, are also believed
Death penalty for drugs to be debated as King calls for MPs to find solution
Tonga Parliament will host a debate on the death penalty on Tuesday, 28 May. The debate is being sponsored by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua, and will discuss the topic ‘Capital punishment as a deterrent for illicit drug
‘Tongan Pablo’ identified in corrupt Air NZ baggage crew smuggling drugs from Los Angeles into Auckland
A Tongan man has been named as the senior baggage handler at Auckland Airport who had arranged for his criminal colleagues to import methamphetamine into Aotearoa during the Covid-19 lockdown. A New Zealand Herald
Pacific Islands eye medicinal cannabis cultivation
But social concerns remain Pacific governments are grappling with balancing the potential economic benefits of legalising medicinal cannabis cultivation with social concerns, as they eye the potentially lucrative new
Another drug bust in PNG’s capital Port Moresby: Commissioner of Police
Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning has warned of the multi-billion kina drug trade threatening security in the nation and the region, after two women, two sacked policemen and seven others were arrested
PNG Meth ‘Black Flight’ Suspect Paid Account in Name of Migration Chief: Court Files
A China-born businesswoman accused of taking part in an audacious plot to fly a light plane packed with drugs from Papua New Guinea to Australia allegedly ordered a co-conspirator to pay into a bank account in the name
Senior Tonga Reserve Bank Official named in $15 million drug bust
A senior Tonga Reserve bank official, Tēvita Nonu Kolokihakaufisi appeared together with his sister, ‘Ana Longolongo Kolokihakaufisi at the Magistrate’s Court in Nuku’alofa Monday on charges related to a haul
$2 billion drug bust, 13 charged in Fiji
Thirteen people have been charged in relation to the seizure of more than four tonnes of methamphetamine in Nadi, Fiji, following consultation with the Office of the Director
China-born businesswoman charged over meth flight built a web of influence in PNG
Mei Lin is a prominent member of Papua New Guinea’s business community, with ties to influential locals. She’s also allegedly a key player in an audacious drug trafficking plot. Key Findings Chinese-born
Woman arrested over alleged PNG drug smuggling plot
A Chinese woman arrested over an alleged $15 million drug smuggling plot has been associated with businesses that have reportedly received payments from an Australian government-funded refugee programme in Papua New
Deportation of Palauans from the U.S. hits record high in 2023
Nine Palauan citizens were deported from the United States in 2023, marking the highest number of deportees Palau has received in a single year. This significant increase, compared to the usual two or less deportees per
Fall of a Fijian trafficker exposes previous government’s blind eye to meth
The imprisonment of a prominent Fijian businessman on drug charges is just one sign of the Pacific island country’s increasing role as an international trafficking hub. Key Findings: Until recently, Aiyaz
Israel frees Fijian UN peacekeepers cleared of drug smuggling suspicion
Israel has released three Fijian UN peacekeepers arrested for drug smuggling, after it emerged the suspicious substance they were carrying across the border was not liquid cocaine, police said Sunday. The three
Illegal narcotics and meth use among youths a concern in Fiji
When Fiji’s Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua pointed out last year that the use and distribution of hard drugs had spiraled out of control and was a far bigger disaster than climate change, he was not
PNG Police take video of meth session
Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner David Manning has confirmed that a video circulating on social media, showing officers allegedly smoking methamphetamine is being investigated by the National Drug and Vice Squad.
PNG Doctor warns about serious impacts of meth use
The use of methamphetamines is a serious issue and has the potential to catastrophically impact Papua New Guinea society if not addressed, a doctor says. Registrar for emergency medicine at Port Moresby General Hospital