U.S. pledges deepened security partnership as deadly drug networks target Pacific waters​

The United States has issued a stark warning that illegal fishing and transnational crime are no longer tomorrow’s problems for the Pacific, as it moves to significantly expand maritime security funding and physical surveillance in the region. ​Speaking at the 2026 Melanesian Ocean Summit at Apec Haus, Mr. Andrew Covington, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission for the U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea, warned that criminal networks are aggressively exploiting gaps in maritime enforcement to funnel deadly synthetic drugs through Pacific trade routes. ​ ​Mr. Covington highlighted the staggering economic toll of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which costs the global economy between $25 billion and $50 billion annually. To access this post, you must purchase Web , Web – One-Day , Web – 14-Day , Web – One-Month , Web – Three-Month , Web – Six-Month , Web – Annual , Web & eBook , Web & eBook – One-Day , Web & eBook – 14-Day , Web & eBook – One-Month , Web & eBook – Three-Month , Web & eBook – Six-Month or Web & eBook – Annual . The post U.S. pledges deepened security partnership as deadly drug networks target Pacific waters​ appeared first on Post Courier .

Original source: Post-Courier PNG