Attorney-General Graham Leung has emphasized the necessity for a more comprehensive approach to tackle transnational crime, stating that traditional enforcement methods alone are insufficient. Addressing the participants at the Pacific Islands Law Officers Network (PILON) Asset Seizure and Confiscation Workshop, he pointed out that Fiji and other Small Island Developing States are particularly vulnerable to various forms of transnational crime, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and financial fraud, largely due to their geographical isolation and constrained resources.
Leung noted that the reliance on open economies, which depend on international trade and financial transactions, often makes the Pacific an attractive pathway for criminal networks. He highlighted the increasing incidence of transnational crime in the region, underscoring how financial crime disregards borders and undermines economic stability, governance, and the allocation of essential resources for public services such as health, education, and infrastructure.
“When corruption becomes widespread and organized crime takes advantage of legal system weaknesses, public trust erodes,” Leung stated. This not only discourages investment but also hinders sustainable development. The evolving nature of financial crimes, he mentioned, allows criminals to exploit deficiencies in legal frameworks, laundering money through avenues like real estate, shell companies, and local businesses.
Leung stressed the importance of effective detection and enforcement mechanisms to prevent such crimes from infiltrating the economy, further jeopardizing financial integrity and stability. He called for regional cooperation, advocating for sharing intelligence, harmonizing laws, and enhancing mutual legal assistance frameworks among Pacific Island States.
He declared, “No country can tackle financial crime alone… The relationships developed here will spur regional coordination, ensuring that criminals cannot exploit jurisdictional gaps to hide their illicit wealth.” Leung concluded by reinforcing that as Pacific Islanders, they understand the shared challenges in addressing transnational organized crime.
This ongoing meeting serves as a crucial platform for collaboration in combating these pressing issues facing the region. Overall, this regional networking effort shines a hopeful light on the potential for collective action to improve safety and governance in the Pacific Islands.
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