The rise of drug trafficking forces Pacific countries to organize their response

Seventeen tons of drugs, mainly cocaine, were seized in the South Pacific in the first five months of the year, indicating a significant increase in narcotraffic. Jacques Billant, the high commissioner in New Caledonia, noted that this reflects both the effectiveness of anti-drug efforts and the growing threat to island societies. Initially not targeted by traffickers, the islands have become secondary markets for drugs primarily from Latin America and Asia, aimed at lucrative Australian and New Zealand markets. Fiji faces a national crisis due to rising methamphetamine use, contributing to increased HIV diagnoses, with only a small percentage of affected individuals receiving treatment.