The deportation of criminals of Pacific heritage from the United States, Australia and New Zealand are helping fuel a worsening Pacific drug crisis.
This is one of the findings of new research from the Lowy Institute looking at drug trafficking in the region.
The research released this week also says that the Pacific drug highway has spilled over into domestic markets for illicit drug consumption and production.
In this second part of a new three part talanoa series I am joined by research author Jose Sousa Santos.
If you missed part one you can find it under Pacific Waves on our website RNZI.com in it Jose explains a bit about the study and the extent of the drug trafficking problem in the region.
We continue the conversation today with Jose answering my question about how well coordinated law enforcement and security organisations in the Pacific are when it comes to trying to combat transnational crime.
The New Zealand Defence Force has assisted Fiji authorities in recovering over 12 kgs of cocaine that were found on a remote island last week. Photo: New Zealand Defence Force
