Joining Together to Fight Crime in the Pacific
CANBERRA, April 23/Medianet International-AsiaNet/ --
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has stepped up the fight against transnational crime in the
Asia Pacific region with today's opening of the Micronesia Regional Transnational Crime Unit
(TCU).
The Micronesia Regional TCU is a joint initiative between Australia, the United States and the
Federated States of Micronesia, and the opening has been welcomed by Micronesia's Secretary of
Justice Maketo Robert.
It is the sixth to open in the Pacific region, and is linked to a network of existing TCUs in Fiji,
Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
The AFP first forged a relationship with the United States’ Hawaii-based Department of Defence
Joint Interagency Task Force West (JIATF West) in 2004 to create a more proactive criminal
intelligence and investigative presence in the Pacific.
AFP’s Manager International Network Paul Osborne said the TCU network allows law
enforcement agencies to share intelligence, and to profile and target transnational crime groups
operating across the region.
“The fight against transnational crime can only be successful through strong collaborative
partnerships and effective law enforcement intelligence,” Commander Osborne said.
The AFP’s engagement in the Pacific is focused on long-term capacity building, and addressing
issues such as the transportation of narcotics, people smuggling, child sex tourism and
transnational sex exploitation.
The AFP has provided the Micronesia TCU with $300,000 of equipment and support, including a
new vehicle, intelligence training and an AFP advisor for the first 12 months.
JIATF West has contributed $450,000 to the project for the refurbishment of offices including the
provision of cabling, air-conditioning, furniture and computer and communications equipment.
JIATF West’s Deputy Director of Intelligence Gary Royster said the facility now had the level of
technology required to fight transnational crime in the 21st century.
Media enquiries
AFP National Media Team
Phone: +61 2 6275 7100
SOURCE: Australian Federal Police
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