The Oceania Customs Organisation has revealed that illicit drug trade in the Pacific is increasing and has led to more people manufacturing or cultivating drugs locally.
Head Secretariat, Seve Paeniu says that suspects are also using smarter methods to import and export drugs in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We are seeing a trend now – where it is not only a case of consumption locally but local production for exporting drugs. While we try to put in place systems and actions to address these criminal activities coming through the borders, we are also seeing an increase in sophistication of the techniques employed by the drug traffickers. So they always come up with advanced ways and means to try and beat the system.”
Custom officers from pacific countries are taking part in a weeklong training session to upskill their knowledge.
