Fiji is among 22 regional nations equipped with specialized transnational crime units. Australian Federal Police Pacific Command senior officer Jodie Hurley commended the Fiji Police Force for their commitment to tackling transnational crime, noting that they have allocated resources to four dedicated units.
Hurley made these remarks during the launch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report titled “Transnational Organised Crime in the Pacific: Expansion, Challenges, and Impact” in Suva yesterday. She also highlighted the challenges posed by limited resources in this field.
Across the Pacific region, there are a total of 29 transnational crime units operating in 22 countries. Hurley emphasized the Australian Government’s support for the Pacific Islands Transnational Organised Crime Units through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
According to Hurley, understanding the threat assessment is crucial for everyone in the region. She stated, “By comprehending the environment we operate in, we can ascertain why transnational organized crime syndicates focus on specific areas and countries for their illicit activities.”
She added that this knowledge enables Pacific leaders to develop policies and implement responses aimed at disrupting these crimes. “Through collaborative efforts with law enforcement, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, we need to create an unfriendly environment for transnational organized crime,” she stressed.
Hurley mentioned that current insights will enhance understanding of the transnational organized crime risks in the region and effective strategies to counter them. “By discussing the specific identified threats, we can focus on methods to mitigate these risks.”
She concluded by stating that unity is essential in this fight against crime, asserting that the ongoing program and its complementary initiatives are vital for ensuring the safety and well-being of communities throughout the region.