Australia may allocate $600 million to combat drug trafficking in the Pacific
Australia is expected to allocate $600 million to a new program to counter drug smuggling in the Pacific region, including on routes to the country. This was reported by ABC News Australia. The program is intended to strengthen surveillance of the Pacific Ocean and help intercept smugglers' vessels and so-called narco-submarines.
The Waqa Moana initiative
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is expected to announce the funding at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Regional leaders are preparing to approve the Waqa Moana initiative, which provides for increased monitoring of the vast Pacific Ocean area.
The funding package will be designed for several years. It provides for increased spending on aerial surveillance, as well as additional training and support for police in countries of the region. The plan is also intended to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies in Pacific countries and strengthen cooperation between the Australian Federal Police and countries in South and Central America to counter drug supplies in their countries of origin.
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Drug seizures
Earlier this year, the Australian Federal Police described growing drug trafficking volumes as a serious threat to Australia's national security and the region. According to its data, more than 17 tonnes of illicit cocaine and methamphetamine have been seized in Australia since the beginning of the year. In 2025, the figure was 5.5 tonnes.
Australian and Pacific authorities are concerned about the impact of drug trafficking on communities in the region, including social problems, police corruption and health risks, including the HIV crisis in Fiji. At least seven so-called narco-submarines have been detected in Pacific waters in recent years. Authorities also link smugglers' activity to demand for illicit drugs in Australia, including in the markets of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
Albanese said that Australia is interested in cooperating with Pacific partners to combat organized crime and illicit drug trafficking.
