Here’s a breakdown of the key points from the provided text about the drug trade in the pacific:
The Shift in Payment and Market Growth:
Initial Situation: The drug trade in the Pacific was initially characterized by facilitators being paid in money, with “no real overflow” into local communities.
The Change (Around 5 Years Ago): Facilitators began being paid in drugs, specifically mentioning methamphetamine, as an alternative to cash.
Result: This led to the development and growth of local drug markets, not just in Fiji but also in Tonga and other Pacific Island countries.
Profitability: Being paid in drugs allowed individuals to make more money by selling them than their agreed-upon payment.
Exponential Growth: This resulted in drug markets in Pacific nations growing “exponentially.”
Fiji as a Case Study:
Rapid Evolution: Fiji is highlighted as an example of how quickly the situation can evolve and its impact on society, communities, and even law enforcement.
Infiltration and Corruption: The drug trade has led to the infiltration of law enforcement and the corruption of agencies tasked with combating it.
Recent Seizure: A meaningful seizure of nearly 5kg of methamphetamine at Nadi airport in May involved police and border officers,including members of the Fijian Counter-narcotics Bureau and the head of Customs intelligence.
New Dimensions of the Drug Trade:
East Coast of Africa and Nigeria Connection: The seized methamphetamine parcel originated from the east coast of Africa and had a connection to nigeria.
Local Criminal Entities Reaching Out: Smaller criminal entities within the pacific are now establishing their own trafficking lines to feed local markets, reaching out to new, smaller players to import methamphetamines.
Troubling New Dimension: This development is described as “very troubling for the Pacific.”
Market Size: While local markets might be too small for international cartels,they are profitable enough for established Pacific criminal entities.
The Role of Deportees:
“Perfect Storm”: The circumstances of the drug trade have created a “perfect storm,” with deportees from the US, Australia, and New Zealand playing a role.
challenges for Deportees: Some deportees with criminal backgrounds struggle to reintegrate due to cultural and language barriers, and a lack of work opportunities.
Reaching Out to Criminal Counterparts: These deportees have reconnected with criminal contacts in their former countries.
New Tactics and Evolution: Deportees have introduced new tactics and an evolution to drug smuggling activities and criminal enterprises that Pacific law enforcement was not accustomed to.
Proposed Solutions:
holistic Approach: Solutions need to be holistic.
Strengthening Regional Security: This includes strengthening the regional security architecture.
Collaboration: Working with different authorities and levels of law enforcement locally and regionally is crucial.
Interpol and Grassroots Involvement: The involvement of organizations like Interpol is as important as the engagement of traditional community leaders at the grassroots level.
* Culturally Appropriate and Context-Specific: Approaches to drug usage and criminality in Pacific Island countries must be culturally appropriate and context-specific.
