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