Customs agencies in the Pacific are having to adjust their operations to cope with an increase in transnational crime.
Earlier this month during the annual meeting of the Oceania Customs Organisation members noted an increase in the smuggling of illicit drugs, via postal services and shipped cargo, during the pandemic.
International travel restrictions imposed to try and limit the spread of Covid-19 have drastically reduced the amount of illegal drugs that were being brought into the Pacific by travelling passengers.
But the operations manager of the regional organisation, Irma Daphne Stone, says this is being offset by an increase in attempts to smuggle drugs in other ways.
Over 100 pounds of double plastic wrapped packages of cocaine washed ashore at Enewetak Atoll in 2016 Photo: Hilary Hosia
