AFP working with Pacific Partners to combat illicit drugs

By Krissy Barrett*

26 May 2026 – Seventeen tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, has been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific since January. That equates to about three tonnes of illicit drugs seized every month since the start of this year.

For the entire year in 2025, the total seizure of illicit drugs in the Pacific region was about 4.6 tonnes.

The increase is partly because greedy and ruthless narco-gangs are trying to make more money by identifying new ways to traffic illicit drugs. The use of semi-submersible vehicles to cross the Pacific is one example.

The magnitude and endless maritime trafficking of illicit drugs to, and through the Pacific, has become a serious national security threat for the Pacific and Australia.
It is a threat the AFP cannot ignore.

This serious vulnerability must be countered to protect our regional security and the safety of our collective communities.

The AFP, with like-minded law enforcement agencies, is the partner of choice to help fight this shared problem, consistent with Pacific Leaders’ agreement that security must be the shared responsibility of Pacific Islands Forum members.

Pacific Island Chiefs of Police have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities.

The illicit drug threat to the Pacific is exponentially increasing – corroding their health systems, their family structures, and their future – their next generation. The effect on such small populations is devastating. It is a complete undermining of their faith, family structure and their proud culture.

This is where the leadership of Fiji Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has come to the fore.

Commissioner Tudravu wants the Australian public to know that Pacific communities have never been more at risk from the effects of illicit drugs.

Commissioner Tudravu is advocating for stronger responses to address the challenges of resourcing and expertise, as well as the timely sharing of information that takes into consideration the needs of all the Pacific.

The AFP and New Zealand Police will help fund an International Joint Investigations Team in Colombia to gather evidence about illicit drug shipments to help stop it coming to our region. It will be also supported by Australian Border Force and NZ Customs.

Coming together with trusted partners is how we will target and frustrate the cartels and other organised criminals.

And we must do this for the collective health, security and sovereignty of like-minded countries that embrace the rules-based order and democracy.

• Krissy Barrett is the Australian Federal Police’s Commissioner.