The Fiji Police Force and the Australian Federal Police have opened a major Pacific Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji aimed at strengthening regional efforts against organised crime and illicit drug trafficking.

The four-day summit, running from 18 to 21 May, brings together Pacific police leaders, international law enforcement agencies and security experts to develop new strategies to disrupt criminal syndicates moving drugs into and through the Pacific.

Police leaders will also oversee the establishment of a new International Joint Investigations Team in Colombia, created in partnership with the Colombian National Police to target traffickers linked to shipments bound for the Pacific region.

Authorities revealed that about 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mainly cocaine, have already been seized across the Pacific since January this year, averaging nearly three tonnes every month.

In comparison, total illicit drug seizures across the region for all of 2025 stood at around 4.6 tonnes.

The summit includes representatives from INTERPOL, the French Navy, Colombian Navy, US Homeland Security Investigations, the Royal Thai Police, Pacific law enforcement agencies and the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group.

More than 14 police leaders from across the Pacific and beyond are attending discussions and panel sessions.

Rusiate Tudravu said the meeting reflects the Pacific’s determination to take collective action against transnational crime.

He said stronger regional cooperation and realistic, achievable partnerships were critical in addressing the growing threat posed by organised criminal networks.

Krissy Barrett said the summit aimed to strengthen ties between law enforcement agencies and improve intelligence sharing to combat cartels and criminal syndicates targeting the Pacific.

Commissioner Barrett warned that while many illicit drugs were still destined for Australia, criminal groups were increasingly attempting to establish markets within Pacific nations.

Police are expected to announce several regional initiatives after the summit, including a Pacific-wide campaign encouraging island communities to report suspicious maritime activity to authorities for intelligence gathering.