On 16 February, an analysis from the Lowy Institute – an independent, nonpartisan international policy think tank located in Sydney – says that the Pacific has become a lucrative drug corridor, driven by cartels, criminal organisations, and local gangs. It says that regional states and traditional partners must act rapidly and adaptively in response. It also argues that the deportation policies of Australia, New Zealand, and the US are exacerbating crime and addiction within Pacific nations. They undermine the policy objectives of development partners in the region and will need urgent review. The Pacific and its partners have responded by strengthening regional policing architecture and governance through enhanced law enforcement mechanisms, but challenges remain as the illicit drug trade adapts and takes root in the region.
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