Pacific nations tackle drug smuggling, whooping cough, and crime

Global Operations

Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 00:16:07 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 07:48:23

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 0

---

The Pacific region has been dealing with numerous challenges recently, including drug smuggling, whooping cough outbreaks, and rising crime. Authorities have been tackling these issues and working hard to protect citizens.

In Samoa, customs officers recently made a significant 1.8 kg methamphetamine seizure, the third seizure this year. The drugs were hidden in rice and imported from the US. A man, now under police investigation, has been identified as the alleged importer.

Vanuatu is experiencing an outbreak of whooping cough, with three young children having died so far. Unvaccinated children under five are most at risk, and parents are urged to get their children vaccinated.

The police in the Cook Islands have acknowledged that rising crime and traffic incidents are associated with increased tourism. They have developed a five-year strategy to address this impact, as tourists have faced court charges for driving and drug offenses and dealt with emergencies on hikes and burglaries on tourism properties.

Guam's government is reassessing outdated tech jobs to keep up with global advances in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Furthermore, Guam is gearing up to create new roles focusing on cybersecurity, web development, and other technical tasks. This initiative will ensure the government's data is secure and monitored.

Moreover, The Forum Fisheries Agency confirms that it has received the first renegotiated annual payment of US$60 million under the US-Pacific Tuna Treaty, after it was held up in the US congress budget processes. This payment will ensure US fishing vessels access to waters of 16 Pacific nations, controlling half of the world's supply of skipjack tuna.

Furthermore, Israel Foreign Ministry announced that Fiji would open its Embassy in Jerusalem later this month. This decision coincides with the visit of Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to Israel. Currently, only six countries have embassies in Jerusalem.

Go!