Transnational organised crime (TOC) poses a growing threat to national and international security with dire implications for public safety, public health, democratic institutions, and economic stability.

Accelerated globalisation has significantly increased Samoa and the Pacific’s exposure, creating an enabling environment for the proliferation of these crimes.

The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP) and the Pacific Immigration Development Community (PIDC) recently welcomed the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) into their Declaration of Partnership on Regional Security. Samoa as a member state is also part of this agreement.

The combined efforts to jointly combat TOC will strengthen efforts to prevent and disrupt transnational organised crime groups taking advantage of the Pacific's extensive maritime boundaries, differences in governance, and varying law enforcement capacities. Illegal, unreported, unregulated (IUU) fishing has detrimental effects on the people and the environment and often has a nexus to TOC activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling.

The inclusion of the FFA in the Partnership will act as a force multiplier and strengthen regional cooperation across law enforcement agencies. In practice, FFA members including Samoa will be an additional set of eyes and ears collecting valuable information and intelligence for the Pacific Transnational Crime Network, as well as being able to access important criminal intelligence, to assist their IUU operations.

In 2021, the FFA estimated the value of tuna involved in IUU fishing activity in the Pacific at USD$333.49 million, which highlighted the substantial financial losses incurred due to illegal fishing practices.

Combatting TOC therefore requires a collective approach, and this agreement sends a clear and strong message of the joint intent to strengthen law enforcement to combat TOC, by enhancing security cooperation and partnerships. It will also greatly assist with coordinating collective efforts, consistent with the commitment of Pacific Leaders to strengthening the existing regional security architecture.

"Transnational organised crimes and IUU fishing pose significant threats to our sovereignty and the welfare of our people,” said the FFA Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen. “FFA’s partnership with OCO, PICP and PIDC aims to address these challenges for a safer and more prosperous future for Pacific Islanders. 

"It is imperative that we work together to leverage our collective strength and resources to combat these threats and protect the interests of our region.”

The increased connectivity among the Pacific islands while increasing economic opportunities has also increased vulnerabilities. One significant consequence has been the rise in trafficking of methamphetamine, cocaine, and precursors with the Pacific also becoming a production site, giving rise to local drug markets, and increasing addiction rates.

Nancy Oraka, the head of the Secretariat at OCO, emphasised the critical situation in the Pacific region.

 “OCO’s partnership with PICP, PIDC and FFA is a crucial step towards addressing these concerns, securing our borders and safeguarding our nation's well-being,” she said. 

"We are the first line of defence for our Pacific Islands, and it is only right that we work together to combat these challenges that not only threaten our livelihoods but the future of our nations.”

PICP Secretariat Executive Director, Nicholas Brown said the urgency of addressing transnational organised crimes and cross-border security challenges in the Pacific.

"This collaboration is pivotal in enhancing our collective efforts to reduce harm and combat the rising threats of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes that exploit the vulnerabilities of our region. We stand united as Pacific Islanders to protect the safety and security of our communities," Mr. Brown said.

This partnership provides a formal foundation for partners to enhance border security in the Pacific, particularly through the Pacific Transnational Crime Network. This is done through the promotion of multi-agency Transnational Crime Units, collecting, analysing, and disseminating information and intelligence, the delivery of joint training, strengthening inter-agency cooperation, and the development of regional assessments and reports.

The collaboration between the partners includes enhanced surveillance and enforcement measures, intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint operations. The commitment is to make a tangible difference in combating transnational organised crimes, illegal fishing, and cross-border security challenges.