Media Release
AFP and Fiji Police Force announce Pacific-focused Organised Crime summit
The AFP and Fiji Police Force will co-host an Organised Crime Summit to disrupt and target criminals undermining health, financial systems, social cohesion and sovereignty in the Pacific.
Announcing the Pacific-focused organised crime summit with Fiji Police Force Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu in Suva today, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the conference would focus on illicit commodities being trafficked to, and through, the Pacific.
To be held in Fiji from 17–22 May 2026, the summit will bring together senior and operational law enforcement officers across the Pacific, Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group representatives and international agencies, including INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The summit will identify and target Pacific-focused crime and emerging issues, including illicit commodities, money laundering, cyber crime, foreign interference, environmental crime and illegal fishing and logging.
Commissioner Barrett said illicit commodities, particularly methamphetamine and cocaine, were being sent to, and through, the Pacific, by transnational serious organised criminals.
“Australia’s insatiable appetite for illegal commodities, and the high price the Australian public pays to consume these really dangerous substances, is putting significant pressure on our Pacific family,’’ Commissioner Barrett said.
“While the majority of these drugs are still trafficked to Australia, there is a growing concern that organised crime is now sending illicit commodities directly to the Pacific to find another market.
“The impact of illicit commodities on all our communities is heartbreaking. The health effects are distressing but the toll on youth, mental health, family structures, culture, financial systems and sovereignty can be just as disruptive.
“A number of organised crime networks are likely to continue to import multiple tonnes of illicit commodities to Australia, and this means the AFP with our Pacific counterparts must supercharge how we target organised crime.
“The intent of the conference is to strengthen ties with law enforcement partners and gain an understanding of the challenges and threats across the Pacific region and globally.
“It is envisaged the summit will also bring together health, government and non-government agency representatives to find solutions to the organised crime challenges.
“The best solutions for the Pacific come from Pacific leaders and we will work together to keep our region safe.”
Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu said he welcomed the AFP’s support towards having genuine conversations on the approach needed to be pursued to collaboratively tackle transnational crime in the region.
“This is the way forward, as we cannot afford to be working in silos, as the status quo will be detrimental to our region, nations and our people,” Commissioner Tudravu said.
“The Pacific region is being exploited because of the obvious challenges faced in policing its vast ocean, however, if we show a united front, we can make a greater impact and keep the illicit commodities from our shores.
“We are not ruling out the fact that the demands may be in the Pacific also, and that is why we need to bring these stakeholders together, to share information and expertise.
“We cannot afford to let this be just another summit, and must ensure there are tangible outcomes that we can use to guide our collective way forward.
“We do hope that the summit will assist in changing mindsets, from what is traditionally perceived as a law enforcement only issue, to one where stakeholders realise that they, too, have a part to play in curbing transnational crimes.
“Fiji looks forward to hosting the summit, which is sure to be educational for all, as the best solution is a holistic one, where we work together to disrupt organised crime from having a permanent place in our region.”
Commissioner Barrett said the summit would support the 29 Pacific Transnational Crime Networks, a Pacific-led initiative that provides proactive criminal intelligence and investigative capabilities to combat transnational crime.
