The Guardian

The Pacific is in danger of becoming a semi-narco region

Caught in the middle of a drug trafficking route, island countries are in danger of falling under the control of drug cartels
Crew member of Police boat Veiqaravi, watches a pleasure craft motor past in Nadi Bay Photograph: Rob Rickman/The Guardian

Four years ago I stood in front of a top level security conference and warned that we have just a few years to get on top of the problem of drugs being trafficked through the Pacific region or it could turn into a semi-narco region, controlled by criminal syndicates.

In the four years since I gave that speech, things have gotten worse.

The region being trafficked through and seized in the Pacific and while it was once the thoroughfare for these drugs, the Pacific is now also the destination.

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