Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre opens in Suva

The Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) opens in Suva today as part of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the South Pacific Police Commissioners' commitment to combating transnational crime in the Pacific region.

"In the current criminal environment in the Asia-Pacific region, where transnational crime and its consequences are of significant law enforcement concern strong, international law enforcement cooperation and partnerships play a critical role," said National Manager Border and International Network, Federal Agent Peter Drennan.

"The vision, commitment and courage of the Pacific Police Commissioners' to unanimously agree to the establishment of the PTCCC, is testimony to their collective determination to take up the fight against transnational criminal organisations."

The PTCCC will become the hub of the Pacific Transnational Crime Unit Network and will manage and coordinate law enforcement intelligence provided by the Network and regional law enforcement agencies.

A multi-agency team has been drawn from the Pacific Transnational Crime Unit Network with the inaugural Team Leader, Inspector Alanrow Banmatakaui, an experienced law enforcement intelligence officer from the Vanuatu Police Force.

Since 2002, the AFP, through its Law Enforcement Cooperation Program, has established Transnational Crime Unit's in Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Islands is expected to follow in 2005.

The AFP will continue to support the PTCCC and the Transnational Crime Teams in the Pacific region to achieve their objectives.