The Pacific’s Cocaine Highway: Will Australia’s $600m Deal Really Help?

The Pacific’s cocaine highway: will Australia’s $600m deal really help?

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $600 million program to strengthen aerial and maritime surveillance across the Pacific, targeting the narco-submarines and small vessels used to move drugs through the region. He made the announcement at the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. Read more: Leaders missing and China ‘furious’: the Pacific Islands forum off to a decidedly shaky start The Pacific is increasingly becoming a halfw…

Australia’s ‘shameful’ cocaine habit prompts $600m Pacific package

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pledge $600 million (US$429.96 million) for a new Pacific-wide initiative to combat the surge of illicit drug smuggling in the region, especially cocaine bound for Australia.